Bobadilla earns Augsburg spoils in Cologne
FC Augsburg took a valuable three points away from Cologne after putting luckless 1. FC Köln to the sword with a clinical display of counter-attacking football.
1. FC KÖLN 0-1 FC AUGSBURG
Goals: 0-1 Bobadilla (64')
The first chances of the game fell to Köln, with Anthony Modeste coming close before Marcel Risse's free kick was saved by Marwin Hitz on five minutes. The opening quarter-of-an-hour remained an open affair, however, with Caiuby coming close for Augsburg from close range on 13 minutes. The visitors' best chance came ten minutes later. Raul Bobadilla found himself through on goal after a pacy counter attack, but Timo Horn was quick to react, fending off the burly forward's shot. It was not the last time the Köln 'keeper was called into action, as he pulled off several fine saves to deny Augsburg a half-time lead.
Having been the better side in the first half, Augsburg had their backs to the wall early in the second. In the 54th minute, though, the visitors broke again, only to be denied first by Horn and then by Dominic Maroh. At the other end, Köln won a penalty after Philipp Hosiner was brought down in the penalty area. Hitz came to Augsburg's rescue, saving Modeste's shot from 12 yards. They were punished on 64 minutes, as Bobadilla whipped the ball into the bottom corner from a free kick.
Modeste's troubles in front of goal continued in the 72nd minute as he blasted the ball high over the bar from just 12 yards out. He was replaced moments later by Yuya Osako, who immediately missed a good opportunity in the box. With the clock ticking, Hosiner had a golden chance to equalise blocked on the line, while Pawel Olkowski's shot from distance was saved by Hitz, and Augsburg held out to take the three points.
Man of the Match
His opposite number may have saved a penalty, but Horn was the standout performer. Without his numerous saves, Augsburg would have run away with the game.
Talking point
Köln's scoring problems are inextricably linked to Modeste's form. The Frenchman hunted the ball relentlessly but appears to be lacking in confidence in front of goal.
Match stats
- In the first half alone, Augsburg had 14 shots on goal while Köln managed nine.This was Köln's fourth consecutive game without a goal.This was the first time Hitz had saved a penalty in his Bundesliga career.
Line-ups
Köln: Horn – Risse, Maroh, Heinz, Hector – Lehmann, Vogt (Jojic 71') – Zoller (Olkowski 45'), Bittencourt – Hosiner, Modeste (Osako 75')
Augsburg: Hitz – Verhaegh, Callsen-Bracker, Klavan, Max – Kohr, Baier (Ji 77') – Esswein (Janker 89'), Koo, Caiuby – Bobadilla (Matavz 85')
