Fc Augsburg let a possible win in the basement duel against Bielefeld slip away carelessly and missed a liberation strike.
For 45 minutes on Sunday evening, FCA were well on their way to a longed-for liberation strike. Augsburg started strong in two fights, consistently and attacked the opponent early. Daniel Caligiuri, in particular, was a driving force on the right side and also created danger with standards. Reece Oxford converted one of these sharply kicked balls to take an early lead, which FCA could have extended by the break.
At half-time, FCA broke the deadlock
So everything was going according to plan, but a break came into Augsburg’s game at half-time. “We were too passive, didn’t have our own game structure, hit too many long balls,” coach Markus Weinzierl named the deficits in the second half. They led to his team giving away a possible three points against Bielefeld, who were frighteningly harmless for a long time.
While the opponent showed more commitment and force, FCA lapsed into administrative mode. “We didn’t manage to bring a real line into our game,” also criticised manager Stefan Reuter. The fact that Arminia equalised with their first chance and that two Augsburg goals were disallowed for narrow offsides added to the problem.
“These are the home games you should win. If that doesn’t work out, the pressure automatically comes. “
MARKUS WEINZIERL
Reuter was “extremely disappointed that we only got one point”. Weinzierl also believes that this is “two points too few”. The FCA coach had emphasised the importance of the game against Bielefeld in the run-up: “These are the home games that you should win. If that doesn’t work out, the pressure automatically comes.” That is exactly what has now happened.
With six points from eight games, Augsburg are in 16th place and the situation is becoming increasingly uncomfortable ahead of this Tuesday’s general meeting and Friday’s away game in Mainz (8.30pm). “We definitely want to have more points than games. We are not in that situation, so we have to step up,” Reuter makes clear.
FCA carelessly missed the first chance to break free. The seminal weeks now continue with games against Mainz, Bochum (cup) and Stuttgart. Then Augsburg must build on the first 45 minutes of the Bielefeld game – and maintain this level for the entire duration of the match. “One half is not enough,” Weinzierl stated soberly. He and his team were made to feel this bitterly on Sunday.
