Unbeaten home run comes to an end as FCA beaten 2-0 by Leverkusen

FCA’s unbeaten home run came to an end in their final match at the WWK ARENA in 2024. An efficient performance, especially in the first half, from champions Leverkusen saw them defeat the Fuggerstädter 2-0. Both goals came before half time.

Dimitris Giannoulis returned from injury in time to face the reigning German champions, and was put straight back into the starting eleven by FCA head coach Jess Thorup. Elvis Rexhbecaj though was ruled out at short notice due to illness. Arne Maier therefore came into the side to make his 100th appearance for Augsburg.

The visitors were on top in the first few minutes, but it was FCA who had the first effort of the match. Arne Maier’s shot from around 18 yards out was however no problem for Lukas Hradecky in the Bayer goal. The Augsburg defence were then able to clear two Leverkusen corners in succession. There were no more chances until the 14th minute, when Martin Terrier put the visitors ahead.

Schlotterbeck narrowly offside as WWK ARENA celebrations cut short

Although the Fuggerstädter had been able to mount a number of attacks before the opening goal, Leverkusen now took control of the game and moved the ball confidently. This was briefly interrupted by FCA celebrations in the 24th minute. Keven Schlotterbeck headed a Wolf free kick past Hradecky, but he was given as narrowly offside and the goal was ruled out. Maier then had FCA’s next shot from a similar position that he’d tried his luck from earlier in the game, but Augsburg’s number 10 couldn’t get enough power on the strike (32’).

Thorup’s side had more of a foothold in the match now though, and finally won their first corner, though no one was able to get a touch on the delivery (39’). Soon after however, Leverkusen showed their efficiency again. Florian Wirtz tried a shot from the left of the penalty area and it nestled in the bottom right corner to put his side 2-0 up (40’). Phillip Tietz had a chance for the Fuggerstädter before half time, but his header went wide (43’). Jeffrey Gouweleeuw was shown his fifth yellow card of the season in the closing minutes of the first half, and will therefore miss our final match of 2024 in Kiel next Saturday.

FCA switch it up with substitutions but the visitors stand firm

Mert Kömür came on for Maier at half time. FCA started the second period well, but it was the league’s second-placed side who had the next opportunity, as Wirtz was denied by Nediljko Labrović. Jess Thorup brought on two more pairs of fresh legs before the hour mark, as Henri Koudossou replaced Giannoulis and Alexis Claude-Maurice came on for Tietz. Claude-Maurice and Kömür in particular broke forward with promise, but were still unable to really threaten the Leverkusen goal. Captain Gouweleeuw had a first-time shot from Augsburg’s second corner, which was again delivered by Marius Wolf, but fired well wide (70’).

Ruben Vargas then replaced Samuel Essende for the final 15 minutes to try to inject even more impetus into FCA’s play. Alonso’s team kept possession well though and were the side making inroads into the opposing penalty area. In the 85th minute, substitute Vargas took on a shot from the left, but didn’t make the right contact and it went wide. Wolf’s strike soon after led to another corner, following which Alexis Claude-Maurice let fly ambitiously from range, but Hradecky palmed it away for another corner (90’). This very nearly posed a danger, but eventually came to nothing. The Fuggerstädter also failed to find the net in the three minutes of injury time, and the match finished 2-0.

This result brings to an end Augsburg’s four-game unbeaten home run in the league. Next week, FCA will travel to the far north to face promoted side Kiel in their final match before the winter break (Saturday, 21st December, 15:30 CET).

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