FC Augsburg were defeated 3-1 at home to FC Köln on Bundesliga matchday 27. It was head coach Enrico Maaßen’s side’s first home defeat of 2023.

Ermedin Demirović and Mads Pedersen missed the game through suspension, while Mergim Berisha was also out after picking up an ankle injury during the 2-2 draw against Wolfsburg. The club’s top scorer was replaced by Fredrik Jensen, who partnered Dion Beljo up front in the starting XI.

Jensen found himself in a promising position inside the area early on, but wasn’t able to get a shot off. At the other end, Köln had a couple of chances through Kingsley Schindler (3’) and Linton Maina (5’) before taking the lead in the 7th. Julian Chabot found Ellyes Skhiri after a free kick from the right-hand side, and the midfielder found the back of the net. The goal was initially ruled out due to offside but after consulting VAR, referee Robert Schröder awarded the goal.

FCA may have felt hard done by when Ruben Vargas’ effort hit the hand of Eric Martel a few moments later and no VAR intervention followed (13’). At the other end, the ball was soon in the back of the net again. After a quick throw-in, Martel found space down the right and beat Rafał Gikiewicz with a low effort and Maaßen’s side found themselves 2-0 down after 16 minutes. The team found a reply on around the half-hour mark, when Arne Maier’s deflected shot landed with Robert Gumny who found Vargas, who found the back of the net (29’). FCA kept the pressure high in the remaining quarter of an hour, but were made to do with a 2-1 half-time deficit.

Maina makes it 3-1

The second half was just as hard-fought as the first, with Jensen going to ground after a challenge from Chabot on the edge of the box. The defender initially played the ball, before then catching Jensen with his foot, but no penalty was awarded (50’). The guests were then able to increase their lead in the 59th minute, as substitute Dejan Ljubicic broke free down the right side and picked out Maina at the far post. The winger was able to slot home to make it 3-1. Minutes later, head coach Enrico Maaßen made a triple change, bringing on Daniel Caligiuri, Irvin Cardona and David Čolina (65’). .

Despite being able to create a couple of chances for themselves, FCA were unable to make these count. Beljo cut a pass back to Cardona, but his shot landed in the side-netting (70’). Shortly after, Beljo took aim himself but his effort from 18 metres out missed the target (73’). Despite being pushed on by 30,660 fans at the WWK Arena, FCA were unable to mount a comeback as they fell to a 3-1 defeat.

The result saw Köln leapfrog Augsburg in the table, with FCA now sit in 13th place with 29 points. Next up, the team will travel to face Leipzig on Saturday, 15th April (15:30 CEST). 

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