Augsburg strike late to down Schalke
FC Augsburg moved out of the bottom three thanks to a last-gasp 2-1 win over FC Schalke 04.
FC Augsburg 2-1 FC Schalke 04
Goals: 1-0 Hong (34’), 1-1 Kolasinac (70’), 2-1 Caiuby (90+2’)
The game sprung to life in the 34th minute when Jeong-Ho Hong diverted Dominik Kohr’s goalbound shot past unsighted Schalke custodian Ralf Fährmann to give Augsburg the lead. Despite falling behind, the Royal Blues ended the half the stronger of the two sides, with Augsburg stopper Marwin Hitz having to make three important saves from Leroy Sane, Max Meyer and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Schalke continued their offensive after the restart as Johannes Geis shot over and Leon Goretzka rattled the crossbar. Alexander Esswein’s snap-shot provided Augsburg with only momentary respite, before Sead Kolasinac combined with Choupo-Moting to bring the visitors deservedly level. Augsburg showed the greater attacking intent as the clock ticked down, however, and were duly rewarded when Caiuby sent an exquisite volley into the top corner in stoppage time.
Man of the match
Ja-Cheol Koo made Augsburg tick from the get-go at the WWK Arena. He did the basics brilliantly and made a nuisance of himself in the final third.
Talking point
After making an alarming start to the season, Markus Weinzierl appears to be steering Augsburg back on course. They are unbeaten in their last four and now sit two points clear of the relegation play-off spot.
Match stats
- Augsburg had never beaten Schalke in the Bundesliga before today,Hong scored his first Bundesliga goal on his 42nd appearance in Germany’s top flight.Kolasinac’s 54th Bundesliga outing yielded his first goal for the Schalke seniors.Augsburg set a new club record of 361 minutes without conceding before Schalke equalised.
Line-ups
Augsburg: Hitz - Feulner, Hong, Klavan, Maz - Baier (c) (Janker 88’) - Kohr - Esswein (Ji 74’), Koo, Caiuby - Bobadilla (Matavz 90+4’)
Schalke: Fährmann - Riether, Höwedes (c), J. Matip, Kolasinac - Geis, Goretzka - L. Sane, Meyer (Höjbjerg 80’), Choupo-Moting - Huntelaar
