Eintracht suffer narrow defeat at Augsburg
Having trailed 2-0 at the break following two goals in quick succession from Marco Richter (35’) and Florian Niederlechner (43’), Eintracht pulled a goal back through Goncalo Paciencia in the 73rd minute but despite dominating possession, they couldn’t find an equaliser.
Personnel: Full debuts for Sow and Silva
Head coach Adi Hütter made three changes from the side that started against Fortuna Düsseldorf on Matchday 3. Deadline day signing Andre Silva went straight into the starting XI and there was also a full debut for Djibril Sow. They replaced Dejan Joveljic and Dominik Kohr, who dropped to the bench, while Timothy Chandler started at left-back – making his 100th appearance for the club – in place of the ill Filip Kostic.
First half: Augsburg strike on the break
After a quiet opening period, the Eagles began to gain the upper hand in the game and went close to taking the lead in the 14th minute, when Goncalo Paciencia struck the post after great work on the edge of the area. Nine minutes later, Chandler’s cross from the left ran through to Danny da Costa but he volleyed over the bar, before Daichi Kamada cut inside and fired inches wide of the post.
Augsburg then had a little spell of pressure of their own and it was during this that they opened the scoring. A long ball forward from Rami Khedira was headed down into the path of Richter, who volleyed past Kevin Trapp. Soon after that, Martin Schmidt’s side doubled their advantage thanks to a brilliant strike from Niederlechner, whose long-range shot left Trapp with no chance.
Second half: Eagles pile on the pressure
Eintracht immediately went in search of a goal to get them back into the game and Silva went close just three minutes into the second period, striking the side netting from just outside the area. The next big change also fell to the Portugal international, but his overhead kick from da Costa’s cross sailed wide. It was his compatriot Paciencia who got the Eagles back into the game on 73 minutes, when he received the ball from substitute Kohr just inside the area and slotted in his sixth goal of the season in all competitions.
Lifted by that goal, the visitors threw everything forward in the closing stages. In the final minute of regular time, Chandler’s looping cross had to be scooped away from underneath the crossbar by Augsburg keeper Tomas Koubek. Kamada’s shot from the resulting corner was blocked, and the hosts hung on for the three points.
Summary: Dominance not rewarded
Much like the defeat at Leipzig, Eintracht came away with nothing despite dominating for much of the game and creating the better chances. They can perhaps count themselves a little unlucky not to have got something from the game, but it was Augsburg who were better in both boxes.
SGE line-up
Trapp – Abraham, Hinteregger, Hasebe – Da Costa, Rode (Dost 65‘), Sow (Kohr 46‘), Chandler – Kamada – Silva, Paciencia
Goals
1-0 Richter (35’)
2-0 Niederlechner (43’)
2-1 Paciencia (73‘)