It looked like a zero number – then FC Augsburg scored in the Bundesliga to win 1-0 (0-0) against TSG Hoffenheim. Two Augsburg goals had previously been conceded by VAR.
After another bankruptcy and now eleven games without a win, it is getting more and more precarious for the Kraichgauer in the relegation battle. Except for a shot by substitute Andrej Kramaric in the 82nd minute, the guests showed an extremely harmless attacking performance and deservedly left the field as losers.
Pellegrino Matarazzo had acted. After the 3-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen on his debut as TSG coach, he changed his starting line-up in Augsburg. Among other things, the only 18-year-old Umut Tohumcu was allowed to start in central midfield, attacker Andrej Kramaric initially stewed on the bench.
Engels scores – VAR objects
Matarazzo wanted more of his own offensive actions, more assertiveness in his own attack. But what he did see was the alleged 0:1 deficit after just eight minutes: Augsburg attacker Mergim Berisha had caught the ball on the left side of the attack and played it back to the 16er. There Arne Engels took the ball with his right hand in order to sink it into the Hoffenheim goal with his left hand – deflected. Referee Patrick Ittrich had initially decided on a goal, but was instructed by the VAR – the goal was not recognized because of a handball by Engels.
Hoffenheim tried to get into the game and did so with virtues that were previously alien to the team: you fought. TSG used their own toughness against the well-known Augsburg duel strength – especially the central defenders Anthony Brooks, Ozan Kabak and Kevin Vogt attacked a few times. A fighting game developed – little edifying for those fans who had hoped for playfully strong actions.
Hardly anything playful – Augsburg makes steam
The first proper scene could only be seen after 33 minutes: Hoffenheim came through the center via Christoph Baumgartner, shifted to the right to Pavel Kaderabek, whose cross landed at Angelino, who, at full speed, only stumbled into the ball and did not put it on goal could.
For the rest of the first half, however, the guests had to resist increasing pressure from the hosts. Twice Ermedin Demirovic and once each Berisha and Elvis Rexhbecaj narrowly missed the Augsburg opening goal.
Demirovic also celebrates in vain – second Augsburg goal denied
Augsburg’s dominance seemed to be reflected in the result shortly after the change of sides: Demirovic was able to celebrate the 1-0 lead in the 47th minute after a curious “pinball goal” when referee Ittrich was again corrected by VAR. Augsburg’s Kelvin Yeboah had used his elbow in the run-up to the goal against Hoffenheim’s Vogt. That goal didn’t count either.
The excitement, especially on the Augsburg bench, was now great, referee Ittrich had to call escalating supervisors of the hosts to order several times. This didn’t help the flow of the game at all. The game increasingly frayed – especially since the strength of the players decreased in view of the intense duels.
Jensen still scores to make it 1-0
Matarazzo tried to compensate for this with changes, next to Kramaric came the only 17-year-old Tom Bischof. In addition to Tohumcu and Fisnik Asllani (20), who came on as a substitute in the second half, this is the third youngster for TSG on the pitch. You could feel it, Hoffenheim got stronger and in the 82nd minute had the best chance of scoring the hit so far: Asllani had passed back from the baseline and found Kramaric. FCA keeper Rafal Gikiewicz was able to parry his direct acceptance from 12 meters.
What Hoffenheim couldn’t do, FCA did in the 88th minute: After a corner kick, defender Jeffrey Gouweleeuw extended the ball to the back post, where Fredrik Jensen pushed the ball over the line. 1:0 – downright forced. And FCA pushed TSG even deeper into the relegation mess.
Augsburg has to go to Hertha
On Matchday 22, FC Augsburg has to play Hertha BSC (Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). At the same time, Hoffenheim is challenged at home against Dortmund.