“We played really badly today. We got really excited. In the end it was embarrassing,” said Niklas Dorsch. “It just wasn’t a good performance from us,” agreed Florian Niederlechner.
RB coach Domenico Tedesco had called for a “now more than ever” mentality after the setbacks at the end of the season. Then, of all places, there was support from the eastern rivals Union Berlin, who won 4-1 in Freiburg and thus supported the unpopular “can club” in the fight for the premier class.
Tedcesco – in a white shirt and with his sleeves rolled up – was forced to rotate this time around as Josko Gvardiol had to sit out at short notice with a knee injury and Mohamed Simakan was yellow carded. In addition, Angeliño received a break. Marcel Halstenberg and Nordi Mukiele were in the starting XI. Emil Forsberg got the preference for Dani Olmo and in attack Silva was allowed to play for Yussuf Poulsen.
Augsburg defended well for a long time
The Fuggerstadt team found out immediately before kick-off that VfB Stuttgart’s 2-2 draw at FC Bayern Munich saved them from relegation. “That was a big relief and a lot of pressure was off,” said Niederlechner. Augsburg started free and furious. After 14 seconds, Mads Pedersen forced RB keeper Peter Gulacsi to make a brilliant save with a 17-metre shot. On the other side, Silva (6th) miserably missed the RB leadership from close range.
After that, the hosts took control of the game with a lot of possession football, but little courage for vertical actions. Also because the FCA defense stood like a bulwark. Even before the change, Silva (40th) took heart and shot from 17 meters, Rafal Gikiewicz had no chance with the placed shot.
Nkunku scores for the 20th time this season
After the restart, RB finally combined easily. Mukiele pulled away half-right, played for the waiting Nkunku (48′), who coolly slid in from the penalty spot with the inside. Just nine minutes later, the French international made it more technically adept: this time he took the Mukiele pass, rounded Gikiewicz and slid the ball in to make it 3-0.
His 20th Bundesliga goal was Nkunku’s 50th direct goal involvement in all competitions – only Karim Benzema (57), Robert Lewandowski (55) and Kylian Mbappe (54) scored more of the players from Europe’s top 5 leagues. RB needs to qualify for the premier class simply because of Nkunku, who is being courted by the top clubs.
After a foul by Pedersen on Mukiele, RB received a penalty, which Forsberg (64th) safely converted. Augsburg hardly showed any resistance and were literally overrun by the Leipzigers, who were now playing their frustration out of their souls.