Alexis Claude-Maurice penalty sinks Heidenheim to ease Augsburg's relegation fears
Augsburg extended their unbeaten home run to seven matches with a narrow 1-0 victory over Heidenheim, who suffered a fourth straight defeat.
Augsburg 1-0 Heidenheim
Goals: Claude-Maurice 80’ (pen)
The stakes were high as Augsburg welcomed bottom-of-the-table Heidenheim to the WWK-Arena.
The hosts entered the match unbeaten in six home games, having never dropped points against their opponents on home soil. However, Manuel Baum's side had been struggling with set-pieces, conceding eight goals from dead-ball situations since the turn of the year.
For Frank Schmidt's Heidenheim, the situation was desperate – with just 13 points from 21 matches, they were already four points adrift of the relegation play-off spot. Having taken only two points from their previous eight matches, Heidenheim arrived as the Bundesliga's weakest team statistically, having scored the fewest goals (19) and conceded the most (47).
Evenly matched first half
Despite their league position, Heidenheim started the brighter of the two teams. Julian Niehues had a header flicked just over the crossbar in the 14th minute from an Arijon Ibrahimović corner. Kristijan Jakić produced Augsburg's first notable attempt in the 18th minute, forcing a save from Diant Ramaj.
Robin Fellhauer tested the goalkeeper again in the 25th minute after good work from Anton Kade. Claude-Maurice tried his luck moments later but dragged his effort wide. Michael Gregoritsch attempted an audacious shot from the halfway line just before the break, but his effort went wide of the post.
The half ended goalless, with Heidenheim enjoying 61% possession but neither side creating clear-cut chances.
Visitors press before penalty decides outcome
Heidenheim emerged from the break with renewed purpose. Christian Conteh twice came close in the 50th minute, seeing one shot blocked and another fly wide. Jan Schöppner forced a fine save from Finn Dahmen in the 65th minute after good work from Eren Dinkçi, who himself went close shortly after.
As the match entered its final stages, Heidenheim appeared the more likely team to break the deadlock, with Schöppner seeing another effort blocked in the 73rd minute. However, against the run of play, the decisive moment came in the 79th minute when Benedikt Gimber pulled down Keven Schlotterbeck at an Augsburg corner. Referee Felix Zwayer pointed to the spot and showed Gimber a yellow card. Claude-Maurice stepped up and confidently converted the penalty to put Augsburg ahead.
The hosts nearly doubled their lead when Rodrigo Ribeiro, who had replaced Gregoritsch, forced Ramaj into an excellent save. Despite late pressure from the visitors, Augsburg held firm to secure a crucial three points.
Man of the Match: Alexis Claude-Maurice
Claude-Maurice was deservedly named Man of the Match after his decisive penalty secured all three points for Augsburg. The midfielder was a constant threat throughout the match, registering four shots – the joint-highest in the game alongside Ibrahimović.
Despite being under pressure 19 times (the most of any Augsburg player), Claude-Maurice maintained his composure and calmly converted the crucial spot-kick in the 80th minute. His penalty, struck with precision into the bottom corner, gave Ramaj no chance despite the goalkeeper diving the right way.
This was Claude-Maurice's third goal of the season, continuing his impressive run of having a goal contribution in each of his last four home appearances.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Augsburg 1.83 - Heidenheim 0.86
Fastest player: Sirlord Conteh (Heidenheim), 35.29 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Alexis Claude-Maurice (Augsburg), 76.7 per cent
Most pressed player: Alexis Claude-Maurice (Augsburg), 19 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Eren Dinkçi (Heidenheim), +4.28
Fantasy Heroes: Alexis Claude-Maurice (Augsburg, 302 Points), Keven Schlotterbeck (Augsburg, 226 Points), Noahkai Banks (Augsburg, 190 Points)
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