The pressure for FC Augsburg and its coach Sandro Wagner has become even greater: despite a decent fighting performance, FCA beat itself against Borussia Dortmund.
The 1-0 (1-0) winning goal for BVB on Friday evening (October 31, 2025) by Serhou Guirassy (37th minute) was preceded by a failed defensive attempt by the hosts, who have now lost six of their last eight games and are on the edge of the relegation zone of the Bundesliga. Dortmund are in second place in the table for at least one night after a lackluster but completely solid performance.
The course of the game really didn’t allow for a goal to be scored in the first half. After their recent 6-0 defeat in the league against Leipzig and the embarrassing cup loss against Bochum, second-to-last in the second division, it was clear to Augsburg that avoiding mistakes was at the top of their priority list. There was practically no offensive effort at all, no movement up front, almost no presence in the penalty area.
2:2 shots on goal at half time
FCA had a measly two shots on goal after 45 plus three minutes; Gregor Kobel didn’t have to parry a ball. The data collectors also counted two shots on goal for BVB, who took things slowly and leisurely and had the midfield largely under control with almost 60 percent possession of the ball at times, but did not pose any threat to score.
A clearer 0-0 at the break has probably rarely or never happened this season, but one of Dortmund’s two shots actually ended up in the Augsburg net. However, this was once again their own fault, or depending on how you interpret it, it could also have been pure coincidence.
Matsima heads at Massengo – Guirassy thanks him
The fact is: FCA central defender Christian Matsima would have had more options when trying to clear the ball on the edge of the penalty area than to head the ball directly into the chest of his partner Han-Noah Massengo, who then – and that was really unfortunate – let it bounce right into the path of Guirassy.
Guirassy hadn’t scored for BVB since the third matchday, but he didn’t miss this gift. Finn Dahmen in the Augsburg goal got a fist at the ball, but didn’t build up enough body tension to be able to direct it around the post.
FCA creative department not in the game
There was no reaction from Augsburg or a change in their game idea. The game against the ball and the willingness to run were definitely there, but the creative department with Fabian Rieder and Alexis Claude-Maurice was a total failure. After an hour, Rieder had as many ball contacts as his own goalkeeper, Claude-Maurice even less.
The FCA didn’t have a real leader on the pitch either, the counted coach Sandro Wagner only reacted in the 63rd minute and brought in two wingers: Elias Saad and Anton Kade. After 72 minutes, the greatest danger in the offensive center came from midfielder Elvis Rexhbeçaj, who was stopped by substitute Jobe Bellingham in the six-yard box with a spectacular high-risk tackle.
Wagner goes “all in” – but there is no more chance to score
After this scene, Rexhbeçaj immediately encouraged the fans with gestures, who also reacted. And Augsburg actually increased the pressure as a result, attacked Dortmund in the BVB penalty area and repeatedly won the ball. But Niko Kovac’s team defended brilliantly, blocking shots from Kade, Claude-Maurice and Rieder several times before things became really dangerous – Kobel remained virtually unemployed.
Wagner then increased the risk in the 81st minute and simultaneously brought in his two center forwards: Samuel Essende and Philipp Tietz, together 3.82 meters tall and weighing 180 kilos. But the double crowbar was no longer effective. Augsburg tried a lot again, but remained without a single real chance to score until the final whistle.
Augsburg in Stuttgart, Dortmund in Manchester and Hamburg
Augsburg and Coach Wagner will be under even more pressure next time they play VfB Stuttgart (Sunday, 5:30 p.m.). Dortmund plays at Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday (9 p.m.) and then in the league on Saturday at Hamburger SV (3:30 p.m.).