FCA fight to get first point of the season against Gladbach

FC Augsburg worked hard in their first home game of the season to earn a 2-2 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Alfred Finnbogason scored after 36 seconds for FCA – Augsburg’s quickest ever goal in the Bundesliga. However, Denis Zakaria and Oscar Wendt turned it around for Gladbach as the visitors went into the half-time break 2-1 up. Right at the end of the game, substitute Sergio Cordova made it 2-2 so Augsburg gained a deserved point. FCA head coach Manuel Baum fielded the same side that lost away at Hamburger SV to face Gladbach. It was a particularly special game for Martin Hinteregger who was facing his former club. For Gladbach, ex-FCA man Ibrahima Traoré returned to Bavaria. Augsburg flew out of the blocks. After only 36 seconds, the Gladbach goal rippled after Alfred Finnbogason rifled a left-footed shot home from inside the penalty area. The goal meant that Finnbogason beat his own record against Wolfsburg where he scored after 46 seconds. A few minutes later, Jonathan Schmid’s goal-bound strike was blocked by Jannick Vestergaard. Gladbach’s response came soon after. Following a one-two with Lars Stindl, Denis Zakaria finished a one-on-one with Marwin Hitz to make it 1-1 in the 7th minute. Suddenly, FCA had to do all they could to prevent a flurry of promising Borussia attacks. With half an hour of the game gone, Raffael threaded through Patrick Herrmann whose shot was parried by Hitz right into the path of Wendt. Wendt headed home to put Gladbach into the lead. Just before half time, Thorgan Hazard hit the post for the visitors and, at the other end, Finnbogason went close to levelling things back up but, at the halfway stage, the score was 2-1 to Gladbach. Much like in the first half, FCA started very brightly and had a number of chances. Michael Gregoritsch headed narrowly over from a Philipp Max cross, Finnbogason was denied by a fingertip save from Sommer and Baier also came close to an equaliser. Caiuby’s header from a corner went slightly wide of the far post in the 50th minute but, following that, the game seemed to lose its pace. Augsburg had the majority of the ball but Gladbach looked dangerous on the counter. In the 64th minute, Finnbogason forced another save from Sommer as Augsburg sought an equaliser. FCA get deserved equaliser Manuel Baum made a triple substitution which swung the flow of the game in Augsburg’s favour. Augsburg were courageous and determined in their search for an equaliser. Heller’s header went straight into the arms of Sommer but, eventually, Augsburg’s hard work paid dividends. One of Baum’s substitutes, Sergio Cordova, volleyed home from inside the penalty area in the 89th minute. In additional time, Augsburg almost won the game as ex-Gladbach man Hinteregger couldn’t finish from close range.