bundesliga

Augsburg enjoy much-needed lift with victory at Bochum

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Augsburg picked up a crucial victory in the battle to stave off relegation as a goal from Andre Hahn and a Michael Gregoritsch penalty helped the Bavarians to overcome a Bochum side yet to confirm their own top-flight status for next term.

Bochum 0-2 Augsburg
Goals: 0-1 Hahn 15', 0-2 Gregoritsch (pen.) 43'

With the late April sunshine beaming down on the Vonovia-Ruhrstadion, home fans were in fine voice as they cheered the hosts on to a hoped for result that would ensure Bundesliga survival. Takuma Asano looked to give last season's second-division champions the perfect start, the Japan international stretching at, but ultimately failing to convert Cristian Gamboa's centre. Augsburg started the day four points behind their Matchday 31 opponents and looking nervously over their shoulders at the dreaded drop zone. When Hahn took advantage of a poor defensive header from Maxim Leitsch before converting past Manuel Riemann, there was thus a momentary sense of relief among the visiting contingent. It was to get even better for Markus Weinzierl's side before the break when Danilo Soares felled Daniel Caligiuri in the Bochum area and Gregoritsch converted the subsequent spot kick.

Seeking to secure only their third win on their travels this season, the Fuggerstädter picked up where they left off before the break with Jeffrey Gouweleeuw sending a volley into the arms of the grateful Riemann. Largely frustrated here in their attempts to add to the 25 points they picked up at home so far this season, Bochum only began to see some chinks of light late on against an Augsburg team intent on frustrating. Jürgen Locadia was eventually crowded out following a long run into the danger zone while Eduard Löwen's powerful free-kick was spectacularly parried out by Gikiewicz, who saved again from Sebastian Polter late on. The result leaves Augsburg - who next host Cologne - in 14th position and right on the heels of a Bochum side that will travel to face Borussia Dortmund next weekend.

Match stats

  • Gregoritsch took his first penalty for three years. He scored with all three of his previous spot-kicks in the Bundesliga.
  • The Augsburg No. 11 is his team's top scorer with eight goals this season, six of which have been scored in the rückrunde.
  • Manuel Riemann conceded from the penalty spot for the first time this season; the Bochum goalkeeper wasn't beaten by any of the three penalties he previously faced this term.
  • Andre Hahn has registered five goals this season.
  • Bochum last secured back-to-back seasons of Bundesliga football in 2009.
  • Gregoritsch also scored in the reverse fixture (a 3-2 defeat).

Watch: Reece Oxford on 'happy' Augsburg

Teams

Bochum: Riemann - Gamboa, Bella-Kotchap, Leitsch, Soares (Bockhorn 74') - Losilla (c) – Asano, Rexhbecaj (Löwen 74'), Osterhage (Locadia 57'), Holtmann (Blum 57') – Zoller (Polter 57')
Unused subs: Esser, Masovic, Tesche, Pantovic
Out: Stafylidis (suspended)
Coach: Thomas Reis

Augsburg: Gikiewicz - Gumny, Gouweleeuw (c), Oxford, Iago (Maier 65') - Caligiuri (Framberger 89'), Gruezo (Uduokhai 89'), Dorsch, Vargas (Pedersen 59') - Hahn (Niederlechner 59'), Gregoritsch
Unused subs: Pepi, Winther, Finnbogason, Koubek
Out: Sarenren Bazee (knee), Strobl (knee)
Coach: Markus Weinzierl

Watch: Sebastian Polter talks Bochum's dip in form