FCA lose away at Leipzig

FC Augsburg lost 2-1 away at Bundesliga newcomers Red Bull Leipzig on Friday evening. After Caiuby, Dominik Kohr and Raul Bobadilla had all picked up long-term injuries in recent weeks, there was still another shock to come on the morning of matchday 6 as FCA found out they would also have to do without Takashi Usami. The Japanese winger picked up a knock in the final training session on Thursday in Leipzig and had already travelled back to Augsburg to be examined before the game. Jan Moravek also did not make the journey to Leipzig due to injury. As a result of missing so many members of the squad, two FCA players were called up to the first team for the first time. Georg Teigl made his first appearance for the Fuggerstädter having made the switch to Augsburg from RB Leipzig in the summer, while Julian Günther-Schmidt was brought in from the U23s. Both men started the match on the bench. It was also the first time Philipp Max had been selected in the starting XI this season. The birthday boy, who turned 23 years old today, played as an attacking left-winger. The Leipzig fans began whistling from the very first minute every time Martin Hinteregger touched the ball since the Austrian opted for FCA instead of a move to Leipzig in the summer. Nevertheless the game got going right from the offset: Alfred Finnbogason had the first chance of the match after a cross from Ji but his effort went just wide of the post. Leipzig however went in front with their first chance of the game. Marwin Hitz saved a fierce strike from Marcel Sabitzer but Emil Forsberg was there to finish the rebound. FCA needed barely any time to respond despite that early setback. Paul Verhaegh played it to Dong-Won Ji just three minutes later, who cut in and curled it with his left foot beautifully into the top corner. FCA had a stroke of luck in the 26th minute when the hosts hit the crossbar from a header and Jeffrey Gouweleeuw then cleared it off the line on its way down. Marwin Hitz then made a very good save in the 43rd minute when he parried away a good strike from Timo Werner. The teams went into the break with the match all square at 1-1. The second half began in similar fashion to the first with Leipzig going in front once again. Yussuf Poulsen scored a fine solo goal in the 52nd minute, renewing the hosts' lead and FCA unfortunately could not find the equaliser this time. Dirk Schuster brought on fresh legs in attack as Jonathan Schmid replaced Philipp Max but it did not result in a goal. George Teigl, the former Leipzig man, was also given his Augsburg debut around 15 minutes before the end. The Leipzig fans applauded him and he was given a warm reception when he was brought on for Ja-Cheol Koo but his pace was not enough to help Augsburg find the equaliser on this occasion. This represents a first away defeat for the Fuggerstädter this season having been unbeaten outside of Augsburg beforehand.