FCA draw with PSV Eindhoven

In their final test ahead of their first competitive game of the season in the DFB Pokal against FC Magdeburg next week, FC Augsburg hosted Dutch side PSV Eindhoven at the WWK Arena. In front of 14,521 spectators, the two teams played out a goalless draw. Things got emotional on the pitch before the game, as Paul Verhaegh, who has represented FCA for seven years, said goodbye to the FC Augsburg fans, after it was announced he’s set to join VfL Wolfsburg this summer. FCA president Klaus Hofmann and sporting director Stefan Reuter both spoke about the former captain, before the defender personally addressed the crowd and was given a standing ovation. When the game got underway, it was the guests who had the first dangerous opportunity. However, Abert Gudmunsson couldn’t control the ball in front of Marwin Hitz and was denied by the ‘keeper from an angle (3’). The Swiss was in the thick of it again during the next chance, as he pulled off a superb save on Bart Ramselaar from short-range after a defensive mix-up. FCA’s first big chance came in the 23^rd minute. After a corner from Philipp Max, Martin Hinteregger directed a powerful headed towards goal, but Jeroen Zoet was equal to it. Manuel Baum’s team continued to attack, but couldn’t find any holes in the PSV defence to exploit. The teams went into the break with the scores level at 0-0. Numerous changes made by each side FCA came out of the dressing room purposefully and created the first chance of the second half through Daniel Baier. However, his effort from distance went over the bar (55’). After this strike, the game lulled as neither side could come up with anything to trouble the opposition. Manuel Baum used the match to again give match practice to a number of players, and just like his opposite number Philipp Cocu, made various substitutions. Then out of nothing, Raphael Framberger, who was playing at right-back in place of Paul Verhaegh, almost opened the scoring. Jeroen Zoet had to use all his ability to keep his attempt from distance from finding the back of the net (65’). Jan Moravek tried his luck from long-range just two minutes later, but the Czech’s shot missed the target. Shortly before the end of the encounter, the ball did end up in Fabian Giefer’s net, but Sam Lammer’s goal was ruled out for offside (80’). A double chance from Kevin Dando and Gojko Kacar was not converted with a minute to play, so FCA’s final friendly of pre-season ended 0-0.