After the last seven games without a win, FC Augsburg has landed a liberating blow in the Bundesliga. The 1-0 (0-0) win against Union Berlin on matchday 31 brings FCA closer to staying up. The “Iron” have to tremble again for the “premier class” three games before the end of the season.
Dion Beljo (53rd) made Augsburg, who last scored three points at the beginning of March, celebrate with his goal. With 34 points now, coach Enrico Maaßen’s team is 13th and six points ahead of the relegation zone and in the final sprint to stay up in the league everything is in their own hands. Union Berlin, who have only won one of their last six Bundesliga games, slip to fourth place with 56 points and are just one point ahead of SC Freiburg, who are fifth after losing to Leipzig.
Since both teams played more of a wait and see game, there were only two serious shots on goal in the first half. Kevin Behrens tested Augsburg goalkeeper Tomas Koubek with a header following a free kick (22′). And shortly before the break, Beljo narrowly missed after Arne Engels had blocked Union keeper Frederik Rönnow when trying to pass from the defense (43′).
Seated direct acceptance of Augsburg’s Dion Beljo
In the second 45 minutes, both teams initially stayed true to their line, but this time Augsburg scored with the first offensive action. After a throw-in, Ruben Vargas crossed from the right in the direction of the six-yard box. In the middle, Beljo broke away from guard Paul Jaeckel and scored directly on the bottom right to make it 1-0.
Augsburg will remain active as a result. Arne Engels missed a long-range shot (69th). A header from Ermedin Demirovic went wide (71′). Union found it incredibly difficult to put pressure on the front. Only after a triple change did it become more dangerous in the final quarter of an hour. Jamie Leweling had the best chance, narrowly missing the goal with a 22-yard shot (75′).
In the end, Berlin’s offensive performance was too economical to get more out of it. Union remained without a win in Augsburg in the fourth attempt in the Bundesliga.
Union against Freiburg, Augsburg in Bochum
On Matchday 32, Union Berlin hosted table neighbor SC Freiburg in the “Alte Försterei” in a direct duel for the Champions League qualification (Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). Augsburg could at the same time make the league perfect in the basement duel in Bochum.