FC Augsburg showed a new face in game one after the dismissal of coach Sandro Wagner and beat Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-0 (2-0) on matchday 13 of the Bundesliga. Dimitris Giannoulis (6th) and Anton Kade (25th) completed two sparkling counterattacks and gave FCA some breathing room in the bottom of the table.
Wagner had to leave during the week after only one win in the last seven competitive games. Former coach Manuel Baum, actually head of development and football innovation, will be in the dugout until the winter break. With the win, FCA now has 13 points and is moving towards midfield in the table.
For Bayer 04 Leverkusen, however, it was the second Bundesliga defeat in a row. The Werkself won the cup at Borussia Dortmund during the week, but failed to secure a place in the Champions League in the league.
FCA aggressive and grippy
In terms of personnel, interim coach Baum only made three changes compared to his predecessor Wagner. On the pitch, the Augsburgers presented themselves as if they had changed. The home team appeared alert, aggressive and grippy in the duels. Bayer had more of the game overall, but only hit the woodwork three times.
After just a minute, however, the FCA almost gave the guests a Santa Claus present. Noahkai Banks unnecessarily played the ball into Patrik Schick’s feet in his own penalty area. Han-Noah Massengo prevented the striker from finishing with a lot of but fair physical effort (2nd).
Schlotterbeck puts Giannoulis in the spotlight
But then it quickly became clear what game idea Baum had given his team: stand securely at the back and switch quickly when you win the ball. And it worked perfectly in the sixth minute. Keven Schlotterbeck undermined the entire Leverkusen defense with a long pass. Giannoulis appeared free in front of Bayer keeper Mark Flekken and scored to give Augsburg an early lead.
FCA then gave Bayer the ball again, but stood stable and didn’t allow anything apart from half chances. If things got dangerous, it was on the other side. In the 26th minute it was another long pass that put Alexis Claude-Maurice in the spotlight. His lob over Flekken only dripped onto the crossbar.
Kade raises with his head
Just two minutes later, Augsburg launched their next counterattack. Giannoulis was involved again, but this time as an assist provider. His cross was found by Kade, who headed the ball into the goal against Flekken’s run (28′).
Leverkusen, who had to do without the injured Alejandro Grimaldo, tried to catch up before the break and increased the number of hits again in the final phase of the first half. Schick had the best chance, but he only headed the ball onto the post in the 43rd minute.
Bayer coach Kasper Hjulmand reacted in the second half and brought in new offensive forces with Christian Kofane and Martin Terrier. Initially nothing changed in the statics of the game. Bayer continued to run, Schick (52′) and Poku (54′) also had shots, but didn’t put the ball on goal.
Ben Seghir hits the crossbar
So Hjulmand tried again with a substitution and brought Eliesse Ben Seghir into the game alongside Nathan Tella, who nailed the ball onto the crossbar with a long-range shot just five minutes after being substituted (66′).
Relief was initially in short supply for FCA in the second half. The pressure from Leverkusen was too high. In the 69th minute, however, a long ball slipped through to Kade, who then missed Flekken from a tight angle. A little later, FCA had an even better chance, but didn’t play a clean four-on-two counterattack (73′).
Tella also only hits the post
But now things happened in quick succession. On the other hand, FCA keeper Finn Dahmen defended a ball directly at Tella. The ball rolled off his thigh and hit the inside post (75′).
In the final phase only the Werkself played. However, FCA remained stable on defense, didn’t allow any major chances and were ultimately happy about the home win.
Augsburg in Frankfurt, Leverkusen against Newcastle
Augsburg will now be guests at Eintracht Frankfurt next Saturday (3:30 p.m.). Leverkusen welcomes Newcastle United in the Champions League on Wednesday evening (9 p.m.) and then hosts 1. FC Köln in the league on Saturday (6:30 p.m.).