Augsburg continue rise at Bremen's expense
Augsburg - FC Augsburg moved to within two points of the top six thanks to a 3-1 win over ten-man SV Werder Bremen.
Augsburg ease to victory
Alexander Manninger took his place in the Augsburg goal in the absence of Marwin Hitz and he was put to the test immediately as Bremen opened the scoring with their quickest goal of the season. Zlatko Junuzovic's corner was met by Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker, who headed the ball into his own goal. It was a bright start and the frenetic pace was sustained as Augsburg sought, and found, an equaliser through Werner, whose low free kick took a slight deflection on its way into the bottom corner.
Bremen were reduced to ten men just before the break when Santiago Garcia picked up a second yellow card, much to his displeasure. That feeling was shared throughout the Bremen ranks when Halil Altintop volleyed in his sixth goal of the season from a sweeping cross to put the hosts in front early in the second half. Bremen's day got even worse when a defensive mix-up was pounced on by Andre Hahn, who increased Augsburg's lead with ease.
It was more a case of damage limitation for Bremen from thereon in, but Augsburg had already done enough to reinforce their place in the top half of the table, leaving Robin Dutt's men just four points above the drop zone.
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