Michael Gregoritsch brace completes comeback as Augsburg edge past St. Pauli

Michael Gregoritsch netted twice as Manuel Baum's Augsburg edged past St. Pauli to record back-to-back wins in the Bundesliga. The visitors failed to convert their chances in the end and were punished for it by the clinical Austrian.

Augsburg 2-1 St Pauli
Goals: 0-1 Sinani 32', 1-1 Gregoritsch 41' (assist: Claude-Maurice), 2-1 Gregoritsch 59' (assist: Claude-Maurice)

Augsburg came into this game fresh from their shock win at Bayern Munich last week, where they came back from behind to steal all three points, confidence was sky for Manuel Baum's charges.

As for visitors St. Pauli, they were looking to go one better after recording two draws in back-to-back matches against Hamburg and RB Leipzig. 

Danel Sinani converts from the penalty spot to give St. Pauli a 1-0 lead, sending Finn Dahmen the wrong way with a composed finish. - IMAGO/Bernd Feil /M.i.S.

Both sides started cautiously in a match with huge implications for the lower reaches of the Bundesliga table. The first real opportunity fell to Danel Sinani after 14 minutes, who was denied by Finn Dahmen when clean through on goal following a clever pass from Ricky-Jade Jones. 

A minute later, Alexis Claude-Maurice struck the post for Augsburg, in an end-to-end spell. The breakthrough finally came in the 32nd minute when Marius Wolf fouled Manolis Saliakas in the box. Sinani stepped up and confidently dispatched the penalty to give St. Pauli the lead.

Michael Gregoritsch and Noahkai Banks celebrate after Augsburg take the lead with Gregoritsch's second goal of the match against St. Pauli. - IMAGO/Bernd Feil /M.i.S.

About the players

38

Michael

Gregoritsch

FC Augsburg

Augsburg found their response before half-time, though. In the 41st minute, Claude-Maurice delivered a pinpoint corner to the near post where Gregoritsch rose highest to head past Nikola Vasilj. The Austrian striker, facing his former club, completed the turnaround in the 59th minute with a clinical finish after being played through by Claude-Maurice for his second assist of the match.

St. Pauli pushed for an equaliser and came close in the 73rd minute when Mathias Rasmussen's effort was brilliantly blocked by Keven Schlotterbeck. Despite creating several promising situations in the closing stages, the visitors couldn't find a way through Augsburg's resolute defence as the hosts held on for back-to-back victories.

Gregoritsch was given excellent service throughout the 90 and did not disappoint with his finishing. - IMAGO/LUKA KOLANOVIC

Man of the Match: Michael Gregoritsch

Gregoritsch was the undoubted star of the show, scoring both goals to secure Augsburg's comeback victory. The Austrian striker showcased his aerial prowess with a perfectly-timed header for the equaliser and then showed his composure on the ground with a well-taken second.

Beyond his goals, Gregoritsch led the match statistics with six shots and won 11 challenges, proving to be a constant threat throughout. After starting on the bench against Bayern, this was the perfect response from the experienced Austrian to give coach Baum some positive selection headaches for the weeks to come.

Man of the Match Michael Gregoritsch scored his first goals back in Augsburg colours. - IMAGO/Eduard Martin

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Augsburg 1.43 - St. Pauli 3.29
Fastest player: Arkadiusz Pyrka (St. Pauli), 34.23 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 2-1 by Michael Gregoritsch (Augsburg), 13 percent
Most pressed player: Alexis Claude-Maurice (Augsburg), 16 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Robin Fellhauer (Augsburg), +2.01

Fantasy Heroes: Michael Gregoritsch (Augsburg, 419 Points), Alexis Claude-Maurice (Augsburg, 285 Points), Finn Dahmen (Augsburg, 168 Points)

About the clubs

Augsburg

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St. Pauli

Millerntor-Stadion