Deserved win away to Hannover 96

FC Augsburg come back from Hannover with all three points in tow on matchday 26, with the game ending 3-1 to the away side. Michael Gregoritsch headed FCA into the lead in the first half (26’), before Salif Sané equalised for the Hannover with a spectacular volley (37’). Gojko Kacar renewed the FCA lead in the 45th minute and Gregoritsch scored his second just before the end to put the game to bed (83’). Augsburg head coach Manuel Baum made three changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Hoffenheim last week: Marco Richter, Caiuby and Gojko Kacar took the places of Marcel Heller, Kilian Jakob and the injured Kevin Danso. It was Richter’s first Bundesliga start. The Bavarians began the game with a lot of ambition, and put their hosts under pressure from the outset. However, Martin Hinteregger and Michael Gregoritsch couldn’t quite find the back of the net. In the seventh minute, Philipp Max tried his luck from about 18 metres out, but Philipp Tschauner managed to smother the shot well. At the other end, Hannover had their first clear cut chance of the game, although Marwin Hitz used cat-like reflexes to push a shot from Miiko Albornoz over the bar (10’). The following corner almost led to Hannover taking the lead, but Niclas Füllkrug directed his header wide (11’). Afterwards, Marwin Hitz found Caiuby on the left wing with a long kick. The Brazilian carried on down the pitch and crossed it into the centre, where Michael Gregoritsch was waiting to head Augsburg deservedly in front (26’). It was goal number ten for the Austrian on the season. Ja-Cheol Koo had a huge chance to double the lead a few minutes later, but Tschauner pulled off a ridiculous save to deny the South Korean from point blank range (30’). Hannover tried to answer back through Felix Klaus, but Hitz had no problems dealing with the shot from a tight angle (31’). Augsburg continued to combine impressively going forward and created chances again and again. The hosts had their hands full, but they still managed to equalise against the run of play. Out of nothing, Salif Sané volleyed home a stunning goal from long range, leaving Hitz grasping at thin air (37’). FCA didn’t let that affect them though, and proceeded to take the lead back. In added time, Gojko Kacar extended the FCA lead with a header to make the score 2-1 heading into the half time break (45+2’). Gregoritsch gets his second The hosts started to gradually build the pressure on FCA as the game got back underway in the second half, with the Bavarians clearly sitting deeper and waiting for their chances on the counter-attack. In the 54th minute, Klaus shot from 18 metres out, but Hitz palmed the ball to the side to clear the danger. Then Schmid put in a crucial tackle to deny Füllkrug, before a header from Waldemar Anton fell into the arms of Hitz (64’). The game was getting tighter and tighter, and so Manuel Baum reacted by taking off Schmid and replacing him with Christoph Janker for a bit more defensive power. Then, Augsburg finally executed a brilliant counter. Michael Gregoritsch put Hannover to the sword with a delightful finish after Philipp Max set him up with a perfect cross from the left (83’). The game would finish 3-1 and FCA travel back home with all three points in the bag!