In the Bundesliga, Bochum’s Takuma Asano gave VfL a point with his brace. Bochum was twice behind at FC Augsburg, but earned the draw.
On Saturday (September 2nd, 2023) Augsburg and VfL drew 2-2 (1-1). Bochumer of the day was Takuma Asano, who tied the second brace of his Bundesliga career (45th + 3 minutes, 64th). On the Augsburg side, captain Ermedin Demirovic stood out, who scored himself (62nd) and had previously put on the opening goal for Dion Beljo (35th).
“In the end we scored as much as the opponent. And if the game goes like this, we have to score a goal more than the opponent”, said Bochum coach Thomas Letsch. If you concede two goals, it’s always difficult to win a game.
Augsburg efficient, VfL struggles to equalize
The game started at a very leisurely pace. Neither team managed to score in the first ten minutes. Only with Phillip Tietz’ volley on the crossbar (17th) did the game pick up speed. After 34 minutes, FCA, in the person of Beljo, converted the first nice counterattack after submission by Demirovic to take the lead.
Before that, VfL had also made an offensive appearance for the first time. Matus Bero was denied by FCA goalkeeper Finn Dahmen from close range, Phillip Hofmann put the shot over it (30′). Asano later did better with his Augsleich goal, which was preceded by a shot from the post by Maximilian Wittek.
Which was deserved, because VfL had won 57 percent of the duels in the first half, recorded more game shares than Augsburg and the significantly better pass rate (80 percent, FCA only 68). Coach Thomas Letsch’s team also had more shots on goal (9:5).
Asano counters Demirovic-opening goal fast
But it remained a tough affair in terms of play. After the restart, there was hardly any flow of play until the hour mark. Augsburg stuck to the plan to let Bochum come. When defending, FCA mostly chose a midfield, sometimes even defensive pressing, and was correspondingly low. Little or nothing went forward on either side.
Until Demirovic struck. The Augsburg striker acted at lightning speed after a Beljo shot against the post and dusted off confidently. As in the first half, Bochum obviously needed this impetus from FCA. Because suddenly the ball was also in the net of the hosts – Asano tied the brace and equalized after a fine chip ball from Kevin Stöger behind the Augsburg chain.
Riemann saves Bochum the point
Bochum was also able to thank goalkeeper Manuel Riemann for stealing a point from Augsburg. Because he wiped Robert Gumny’s header with his fingertips after a corner kick over the crossbar (80th). And Stöger tested Dahmen again in the FCA goal with a powerful long-range shot (90+4).
“We didn’t get three points. We were close and managed to score two goals again. But we conceded two goals at unfavorable times. All in all, we conceded too many easy goals.”said Augsburg coach Enrico Maassen.
FCA demanded in Leipzig, VfL in the top game against Frankfurt
FC Augsburg travel to Leipzig on Matchday 4 (Saturday, September 16, 2023, 3:30 p.m.). VfL Bochum will then play Eintracht Frankfurt in the evening game in front of their home crowd (6.30 p.m.).