FCA come away with point from Hoffenheim

FC Augsburg earned a fully deserved point on Saturday, after the game against Hoffenheim ended in a 2-2 draw. Benjamin Hübner shot the men from Kraichgau into the lead in the 52nd minute, before the substitute Michael Gregoritsch equalised in the 75th. Mark Uth regained the lead for the home side shortly before the final whistle, but there was still enough time for FCA to get one back, which they did after a cross from Jeffrey Gouweleeuw rebounded into the net off of Kevin Vogt (89’). The scores would stay at two apiece, leaving Augsburg to return home with a hard earned point. Manuel Baum made two changes to the side that lost 2-1 to Dortmund in Matchday 7. Kevin Danso and Ja-Cheol Koo started in the places of Rani Khedira and Michael Gregoritsch. FCA began the game confidently, and made strides towards the Hoffenheim goal from the outset. The home side also pushed forward in numbers, however, and the ball ended up in the Augsburg net with only five minutes played. Luckily for FCA though, Sandro Wagner was clearly offside. The next big chance surprisingly fell at the feet of Martin Hinteregger who, well out of his normal position, took a long range shot from 25 metres out. It went just wide. Chances were few and far between for both sides in the early goings, finding it difficult to keep possession consistently. Alfred Finnbogason should have put FCA into the lead before the half-time whistle, however, as he had a clear shot on goal from 6 yards out. The keeper was left with no chance, but the Icelander was denied by the post. Augsburg had another great chance just a few minutes later (41’), as Caiuby got on the end of a perfect Philipp Max cross, although he could only find the side netting. At the other end of the pitch, Mark Uth had his own shot on goal, but the unflappable Marwin Hitz made a sharp save to his right (44’). Things were goalless heading into the break. The home side started the second half with a pair of quality chances. Firstly, Andrej Kramaric had a shot which Hitz parried out for a corner. Hübner had a great chance from the resulting set-piece, but he couldn’t quite convert. He would make up for that just a few minutes later though, as FCA struggled to clear the ball from their area, allowing Hübner to take advantage and head in the opener for Hoffenheim (52’). The men from Kraichgau had clearly made some tactical improvements in the dressing room, as they were playing much better than they did in the first phase of play. Steven Zuber had a shot at Hitz’s goal in the 62nd minute, and Hoffenheim could well have doubled their lead a mere two minutes later after another good chance. Sandro Wagner also came close in the 70th minute with a header, before FCA’s captain Daniel Baier took a long range shot at the other end on the following attack, but Baumann wasn’t really tested (71’). FCA score a deserved equaliser Despite the increasing Hoffenheim pressure, Michael Gregoritsch made a huge difference after coming on for Alfred Finnbogason in the 62nd minute. After a pinpoint pass from Max, the Austrian controlled the ball well and was through on goal. He made no mistake with his chance, and finished superbly with his left foot into the bottom corner (75’). Baumann had no chance. Augsburg were clearly not satisfied with just a point though, as they pushed ahead for the winner. Kevin Danso came close with a header from a Philipp Max corner, but Baumann was able to tip the ball over the bar (81’). For all their efforts though, Mark Uth regained the lead for the home side with a delicious curled finish from just outside the box in the 86th minute. It seemed as though that might have been the last of the action, but FCA still pushed forward. Their efforts were duly rewarded after ex-FCA player Kevin Vogt scored an own goal to bring the scores level at 2-2 (89’). It was a performance that was full of character, and Augsburg can now return home with a well deserved point.