Augsburg lost 3-1 to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Wednesday night. A quick-fire double from Munas Dabbur set TSG on their way, although Ruben Vargas had given FCA some hope.

Head coach Heiko Herrlich made six changes to the side that beat 1. FSV Mainz 05 three days ago. Along with captain Daniel Baier and Alfred Finnbogason, Stephan Lichsteiner, Marek Suchý, Tin Jedvaj and Eduard Löwen all came into the side. Raphael Framberger, Felix Uduokhai, Rani Khedira, Noah Sarenren Bazee, Marco Richter and Florian Niederlechner all dropped to the bench.

In an even start to the game, Hoffenheim had the better of the chances. Munas Dabbur had the first shot of the game (10’), while Löwen tested out TSG keeper Oliver Baumann at the other end (16’). Both teams looked to get forward early on, but were lacking that cutting edge in the final third. There were few clear-cut chances in the first half: Philipp Max hit the side-netting in the 22nd minute and Andreas Luthe was on hand to save a long-distance effort from Diadie Samassekou 60 seconds later.

Suchý headed over the bar after 26 minutes, while Benjamin Hübner couldn’t connect with the ball for TSG in a dangerous position (31’). Right on the stroke of half time, Hoffenheim did have a golden chance. Christoph Baumgartner’s shot was tipped over the bar by Luthe’s fingertips to keep the game level at the break (45’).

Dabbur shocks FCA – Vargas gets one back

Hoffenheim stepped things up after the break. Hübner headed a corner onto the crossbar (58’), which served as a warning of what was to come. Kaderabek got down the right and crossed for Dabbur, who put TSG into the lead (59’). The Israeli was on hand again three minutes later to double the visitors’ lead after Ihlas Bebou had hit the bar (62’).

Herrlich reacted by bringing on two attackers in the form of Richter and Niederlechner – and FCA were suddenly back in the game. After a Löwen corner, Vargas headed home on the front post to halve the deficit (69’). While Augsburg pushed for an equaliser, the away side had a great chance on the break. Substitute Maxmilian Beier hit the bar from a one-on-one opportunity against Luthe (76’). The win was sealed though by Bebou, who added a third in the closing stages.

Augsburg are not yet mathematically safe as Fortuna Düsseldorf drew 2-2 in Leipzig. FCA’s lead over the relegation play-off position is six points with two games to play (plus an 11-goal swing in the goal difference). FCA’s will travel to Fortuna Düsseldorf on Saturday, 20th June (15:30 CEST) for their final away game of the season.

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