Augsburg net last-gasp penalty to down dominant Bayer Leverkusen
Augsburg completed a rare double over Bayer Leverkusen as Fabian Rieder's 97th-minute penalty secured a 2-1 win at the BayArena, with goalkeeper Finn Dahmen making crucial saves to thwart the dominant hosts.
Goals: 1-0 Schick 12’ (assist: Tapsoba), 1-1 Rieder 15’ (assist: Giannoulis), 1-2 Rieder 90’+7 (pen.)
Leverkusen came into this Matchday 30 encounter looking to build on their recent momentum, having secured back-to-back Bundesliga victories for the first time since January. Kasper Hjulmand's side still harboured hopes of UEFA Champions League qualification, sitting four points behind fourth place with crucial fixtures against RB Leipzig and VfB Stuttgart on the horizon.
Augsburg, meanwhile, arrived in Leverkusen winless in five games, though with an eight-point cushion above the relegation play-off spot thanks to the positive impact of Manuel Baum, who was set for his 100th Bundesliga match in charge of the Bavarian side since returning to replace Sandro Wagner earlier in the season.
The hosts started brightly, dominating possession and creating early chances. Their pressure paid off when Patrik Schick rose highest to meet a precise cross from Edmond Tapsoba, powering a header past Dahmen The advantage was short-lived, however, as the visitors responded immediately when Fabian Rieder equalised with a well-struck shot from outside the box that took a slight deflection off Quansah before beating Mark Flekken.
Despite Leverkusen's territorial dominance - they registered 13 first-half shots and enjoyed nearly 70 per cent possession - the teams went into the break level thanks to impressive goalkeeping from Dahmen, who made crucial saves to deny Nathan Tella and Schick in stoppage time.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Leverkusen peppering the Augsburg goal but unable to find a way past the inspired Dahmen. Nathan Tella was denied when clean through on goal while Alejandro Grimaldo and Ibrahim Maza both saw efforts sail narrowly wide. Substitute Christian Kofane became increasingly influential, registering several attempts as Hjulmand's side pressed for a winner.
Despite their dominance, Leverkusen couldn't convert any of their 23 second-half attempts. Then, in a dramatic finale, Augsburg substitute Uchenna Ogundu was fouled in the box by Montrell Culbreath in the 97th minute, and Rieder stepped up and calmly converted the penalty to secure a remarkable victory for the visitors.
Man of the Match: Finn Dahmen
Finn Dahmen produced one of the finest goalkeeping performances of the season to earn Augsburg a remarkable victory. The 27-year-old made seven crucial saves - equalling his personal best for the campaign - as he repelled wave after wave of Leverkusen attacks. Particularly impressive were his stops to deny Tapsoba's header on the half-hour mark and a spectacular reflex save from Tella when one-on-one in the second half.
His positioning was impeccable throughout, and he commanded his penalty area with authority despite constant pressure from the hosts. Without Dahmen's heroics between the posts, Leverkusen would surely have converted their 3.66 xG into more than just a single goal.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Bayer Leverkusen 3.66 - Augsburg 1.27
Fastest player: Dimitrios Giannoulis (Augsburg), 34.76 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-1 by Fabian Rieder (Augsburg), 5.37 percent
Most pressed player: Fabian Rieder (Augsburg), 15 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Aleix García (Leverkusen), 1.93
Fantasy Heroes: Alejandro Grimaldo (Leverkusen, 427 Points), Fabian Rieder (Augsburg, 384 Points), Edmond Tapsoba (Leverkusen, 384 Points)
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