Late Benito Raman goal gives Fortuna Düsseldorf victory over Augsburg
Marvin Ducksch and Benito Raman scored late in each half to give Fortuna Düsseldorf a 2-1 win away to Augsburg, moving them seven points clear of the relegation playoff spot.
Goals: 0-1 Ducksch (45'), 1-1 Schmid (64'), 1-2 Raman (89')
Augsburg enjoyed the better start to the match, dominating possession and producing six crosses and four shots on goal without reply from Düsseldorf in the first 20 minutes. The guests had veteran keeper Michael Rensing (and the upright) to thank for keeping them in the match and were eventually able to weather the storm and gain a foothold. With only a minute of regulation time remaining in the half, December Rookie of the Month and Fortuna top scorer Dodi Lukebakio played a beautiful ball across the Augsburg penalty area for Marvin Ducksch to nod in for his first goal of the season.
After the break, both sides had trouble imposing themselves on the match. It eventually took a free kick for Augsburg to level the score – their 10th goal this season from a set piece. Jonathan Schmid curled a powerful shot around the wall. Rensing managed to get across and get an arm to the ball, which cannoned back out. But, as replays confirmed, it had crossed the line, giving the Frenchman his second of the season. It looked as though the points would be shared; however, just as in the first half, Düsseldorf proved to have a late sting in the tail. With one minute of the half remaining, substitute Benito Raman collected a lofted ball and fired his shot past Kobel, who had little chance.
Match stats
- Augsburg are now winless in nine games, which is their longest run without a three-point haul since being promoted to the Bundesliga in 2011.
- Schmid’s goal was his second goal from a direct free kick this season, and his fifth overall in the Bundesliga.
- He is the only player, along with Hertha Berlin’s Ondrej Duda, to score two direct free kicks this season.
- Friedhelm Funkel celebrated his 100th match in charge of Fortuna with a win.
- Four successive wins have taken Fortuna seven points clear of the relegation play-off spot and six points clear of Augsburg.
- Ducksch scored his first goal of the season and his first in the Bundesliga since the 2014/2015 season with Paderborn.
- Raman’s goal was his second against Augsburg this term and took his tally for the season to four.
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Line-ups
Augsburg: Kobel – Framberger, Danso, Hinteregger, Max (Callsen-Bracker 84’) – Moravek (Richter 74’), Baier (c) – Schmid, Gregoritsch (Cordova 61’), Hahn - Finnbogason
Unused subs: Luthe, Stanic, Janker, Teigl
Out: Caiuby (personal reasons), Ji (Asian Cup), Khedira (suspended), Koo (Asian Cup), Stafylidis (muscular complaint), Götze (adductor), Schieber (thigh)
Coach: Manuel Baum
Fortuna: Rensing – Zimmermann, Ayhan, Kaminski, Gießelmann – Lukebakio (Barkok 76’), Stöger, Morales, Usami (Raman 68’) – Ducksch, Karaman (Hennings 83’)
Unused subs: Hoffmann, Fink, Bormuth
Out: Bodzek (suspended) Contento (knee), Sobottka (ankle), Zimmer (muscle tear), Lovren (abdominal), Wiesner (pelvis)
Coach: Friedhelm Funkel
Click here for the Augsburg vs. Düsseldorf Match Centre!
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