Wolfsburg
plays againstFC Augsburg
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- Referee:
- Timo Gerach
Wolfsburg
plays againstFC Augsburg
Jakić brace helps secure all three points
FC Augsburg recorded their fourth straight win on Saturday afternoon away at VfL Wolfsburg, equalling the club record last set in 2014.
Head coach Jess Thorup sent out the same starting line-up for the third game in a row against a Wolfsburg team that are on a 10-game wait for a win. Mads Pedersen was back in the squad after serving his red-card suspension, while Elvis Rexhbecaj and Tim Breithaupt both missed out due to illness.
FCA arrived in Wolfsburg with plenty of confidence, having won each of their last three league matches on the bounce. However, the hosts were able to get off to a strong start and took the lead in the ninth minute through Patrick Wimmer. The Austrian was able to score on the turn following a corner. VfL remained in control in the minutes that followed, with Mathias Svanberg (10'), Maximilian Arnold (14') and Ridle Baku (15') each going close.
Thorup's side were able to find their way into the match as time went on, but were unable to create many chances. Shortly before the break, Wimmer fouled Kevin Mbabu on the edge of the box. Referee Timo Gerach reacted by showing Wimmer a red card for having denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Arne Maier stepped up to take the free kick, which took a deflection on its way into the back of the net to level the scores (45+3').
The visitors therefore found themselves with a man advantage after the change of ends. This allowed Augsburg to take over control of the game, and they were rewarded in the 60th minute with the lead. A quickly taken corner-kick found the head of Kristijan Jakić, but it first was blocked by Phillip Tietz. The rebound fell right at Jakić's feet, who only needed to poke it home from inside the goalmouth to net his first ever goal for FCA.
The Croat then linked up with Arne Engels to score a stunning second goal, smashing the ball into the back of the net from 19 metres out (79'). It was his first career brace in the Bundesliga. Substitute Sven Michel had an opportunity to make it 4-1 for FCA, but his effort went wide of the target late into second-half injury time (90+2').
With the win – their fourth on the bounce – FCA currently find themselves in seventh place. Following the international break, they will be back in action at home against 1- FC Köln on Easter Sunday (31st March, 15:30 CEST).