FCA narrowly defeated by Wacker Innsbruck

FC Augsburg contested their first friendly of the season against FC Wacker on Wednesday evening, and Michael Baum’s men were defeated narrowly 1-0 by the Austrian second-division side. Head coach Baum gave starts to new signings Fabian Giefer and Rani Khedira, while Marcel Heller came on as a second-half substitute. The friendly did, however, come too soon for Sergio Córdova and Michael Gregoritsch, whose moves were officially announced yesterday. Erik Thommy, who was loaned out to SSV Jahn Regensburg last season, was also included in the starting XI. It was FCA who started the more purposefully. They carved out their first opportunity within three minutes, but Jonothan Schmid’s effort wasn’t accurate enough and missed the target. The Frenchman then had another chance three minutes later, but again shot wide. Wacker Insbruck’s first chance came in the 15th minute, but the FCA defence was on hand to stop Patrik Eler, who had dribbled into the box. FCA then won a penalty, as Julian Günther-Schmidt was fouled in the box. However, Caiuby stepped up and fired over. Daniele Gabriele almost put the Austrian outfit into the lead shortly after, but his shot went over the bar from 18 yards out (26’). Just a minute later, Innsbruck did take the lead. After some nice combination play outside the box, Gabriele found himself free in front of goal and finished. FCA remained the best side until the end of the first half, but failed to create any clear-cut chances. The team which came out after the break was almost unrecognisable, as Baum made eight changes. Only Tim Rieder, Georg Teigl and Julian Günther-Schmidt kept their spots for the second period. The Austrian Teigl set up the first big chance of the second half, but his square ball to youngster Marco Richter wasn’t made the most of (54’). For a long time after this, there wasn’t much action, as FCA failed to be as dominant as they were in the first half after introducing five youth-team players in Marco Greisel, Jonathan Scherzer, Jozo Staniz, Romario Roesch and Maurice Malone. There was a dangerous moment for Augsburg in the 65th minute, as Armin Hamzic tested substitute Ioannis Gelios in goal, but the Greek-German ‘keeper denied him. Towards the end of the game, things quietened down. FCA were looking laboured, as the players had just two training sessions under their belts and, with a team that was almost thrown together, they didn’t have enough to turn the game around. U19s player Maurice Malone had the best chance to level the game, but he couldn’t beat the opposition goalkeeper and the game ended 1-0 to the Austrians. Straight after the final whistle, the team carried on their journey to their training camp in South Tyrol.