Drmic ends Augsburg's unbeaten run
Augsburg - Josip Drmic scored the only goal of the game as 1. FC Nürnberg ended FC Augsburg’s eight-match unbeaten run with a 1-0 victory at the SGL Arena.
Early opportunities
The Swiss forward headed home Adam Hlousek’s left-wing cross after 65 minutes to seal Nürnberg’s third victory in four games, which lifts Gertjan Verbeek’s team out of the Bundesliga’s bottom three.
Both teams had enjoyed fine starts to the second half of the season, and both had several chances to take an early lead during a lively opening to the match. Robert Mak’s fifth-minute header failed to trouble Alex Manninger in the hosts’ goal, before Andre Hahn, who had scored a brace in Augsburg’s 4-1 over VfB Stuttgart last time out, tested Raphael Schäfer at the other end with a rasping shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Despite enyoing 60 per cent possession in the first 20 minutes, Nürnberg largely struggled to find a way through Augsburg's resolute rearguard and were restricted to long-range efforts as the half wore on, with Drmic’s tame attempt drawing an easy save out of Manninger just after the half-hour mark. Augsburg could have broken the deadlock against the run of play when Kevin Vogt capitalised on Ondrej Petrak’s error, but the 22-year-old’s through-ball failed to find Tobias Werner.
Drmic breaks the deadlock
However, the hosts stepped up their game as the first 45 minutes progressed, and should have taken the lead when Arkadiusz Milik saw his low effort from the edge of the box saved by Schäfer, who also did well to keep out efforts from Werner and Hahn minutes later.
Nürnberg were never going to give up though and started the second half well. The Franconians almost saw their dominance come to an avail from Per Nilsson’s long-range effort, but the visitors didn’t have to wait too much longer for a breakthrough as Drmic rose highest to head home Hlousek’s cross after 65 minutes for his 11th goal of the season.
Hahn goes close
Markus Feulner went close to doubling the guests' lead shortly after, but the 32-year-old’s dipping 25-yard-effort missed the target by a matter of inches. At the other end, Augsburg began to pile men forward in search of an equaliser, though Nürnberg’s defensive organisation ensured the hosts were largely kept at arm’s length.
FCA's top goalscorer Hahn missed one of the hosts' few late chances ten minutes from time when he turned smartly inside the area, but saw his attempt fly just wide of Schäfer’s right-hand post. Substitute Erik Thommy forced another good save from the FCN keeper, but Nürnberg held firm to move into 14th in the Bundesliga table, while Augsburg remain in ninth.
Line-ups and statistics
