Friendly defeat in Nuremberg

On the eve of FC Augsburg's departure for the next training camp in South Tyrol, the team played a friendly against Bundesliga 2 side 1. FC Nürnberg. FCA were beaten 2-1 by the hosts after taking the lead in the second half. The Nurembergers, for whom this friendly was more of a dress rehearsal for their opening game of the Bundesliga 2 next week against Dynamo Dresden, were hosting a fan and family get-together. The FCA players, though, had little time for that, and used the game as another step along the way to preparing for their own season. The good news from the start was that defender Paul Verhaegh was able to play again after having been out with a torn ankle ligament. Manager Dirk Schuster also rested several players ahead of the training camp, meaning the likes of Albian Ajeti, Shawn Parker, Raul Bobadilla and Jan Moravek did not get a game today. As expected, the FCA side - once again wearing their neon-yellow kits - were the dominant side from the start. Jeffrey Gouweleeuw saw the first chance come his way after only two minutes from a corner, but his header was easy enough for FCN keeper Raphael Schäfer. On the half-hour mark, Dominik Kohr tried to take matters into his own hands and marched through the Nürnberg half before drilling his shot just past the post. Next, it was Dong-Won Ji's turn to take on the entire defence, but he too passed up the opportunity he had created himself. The last chance of the half came in the 42nd minute from a Daniel Baier free kick, which Raphael Schäfer parried away. FCA continued to dominate when the sides came out for the second half, and in the 60th minute they got their reward. Tim Matavz was brought down on the edge of the area; just inside according to referee Robert Hartmann who pointed to the spot, from which the cool-headed Paul Verhaegh made no mistake in putting Augsburg into the lead. The reward was not enjoyed for long though, as Nürnberg responded just minutes later with the equaliser: a headed effort by Guido Burgstaller parried away by Marwin Hitz, only for Edgar Salli to tidy up from the rebound. In the 75th minute, the referee awarded another penalty, this time against FCA. Daniel Opare had pulled down his man. Guido Burgstaller stepped up and turned the game around. 2-1 to Nürnberg. Not long after, substitute Alfred Finnbogason tried his luck from distance but the ball slipped across his foot a little, sending it wide of the goal. This was to be the last chance of the game for both sides, and FCN went on to win their dress rehearsal, while FCA now travel to Italy on the back of a defeat. Dirk Schuster's squad travel to Mals in South Tyrol on Saturday, where the boss would like to continue fitness training and also work on the more tactical side of their game.