The first friendly of two on Saturday saw FC Augsburg play SSV Jahn Regensburg in Ulm’s Donaustadion. FC Augsburg suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the newly-promoted 2. Bundesliga side.
Following an intense week of training, in which FC Augsburg also played a friendly against FC Tokyo, Manuel Baum had another chance to test out his players under competitive circumstances. Augsburg struggled in the opening stages of the game, showing visible signs of tiredness. SSV Jahn Regensburg, who beat TSV 1860 München in a play-off game which meant they earned promotion to the 2. Bundesliga, were the better team and went 1-0 up in the opening quarter of an hour from a corner which found the head of Sargis Adamyan.
Dong-Won Ji beat Philipp Pentke to bring Augsburg level for a brief time.
FCA then showed a bit more, although they encountered further problems in the form of Philipp Pentke, who was in net for SSV. The goalkeeper saved what would have been an equaliser from Jeffrey Gouweleeuw (27’). However, Pentke was helpless in stopping Alfred Finnbogason from assisting Dong-Won Ji, who brought Augsburg level. Their lead did not last long though, as Marco Grüttner restored Regensburg’s lead.
FCA continued to look tired, although Regensburg too struggled to create more chances on goal. Marwin Hitz, who was brought after the first 45 minutes, saved a shot from distance with ease in the 58th minute.
Usami with a chance to equalise
30 minutes before the end of the match, manager Manuel Baum made the decision to bring on some fresh legs. Academy player Marco Richter did superbly to deliver the ball to Takashi Usami, who just had to tap the ball home from short-range – but instead the Japanese winger’s shot went over the crossbar (79’). Usami once more had a chance to equalise from 12 metres out, but his shot was too high, meaning that Augsburg narrowly lost the game 2-1.
