Despite going into the break with a deserved 1-0 lead, Werder lost their first home game of the season 2-1 to FC Augsburg. Johannsson scored from the spot just before half time but the Green-Whites’ one-goal advantage was overturned by FCA in the second period, with strikes from Gouweleeuw and Stafylidis.
Line-up: After the disappointing 6-0 defeat to Bayern on the first matchday, coach Viktor Skripnik made two changes to this week’s line-up. Diagne and Yatabaré started on the bench while Zlatko Junuzovic and newcomer Serge Gnabry took their places. Werder lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation.
3rd minute: A positive start to the game as Junuzovic plays the ball low into the box from the right but an Augsburg leg clears as Johannsson is ready to pounce.
14th minute: Werder look the better side. A free kick from the right is put in by Junuzovic but Selassie can’t direct his header on target and the score line stays goalless.
23rd minute: The visitors look to play on the counterattack but aren’t creating many chances. Werder’s attack of Junuzovic, Gnabry and Johannsson can’t quite break down the FCA defence – only the final ball is missing.
28th minute: The best chance of the game so far falls to Dirk Schuster’s men. Striker Finnbogason is sent through on goal and chips the ball over Wiedwald but his effort bounces just wide.
35th minute: The first sight of goal for new signing, Serge Gnabry! He catches the ball well from around 30 yards out but his strike goes over.
41st minute: Gnabry goes down in the box but referee Daniel Siebert says no penalty.
43rd minute: More good play from Gnabry! He shows good feet inside the penalty area to make space but his pull-back is sent over by Fin Bartels.
45th minute: GOOOAAAAL! Aron Johannsson keeps his cool from the penalty spot after Hinteregger brings down Junuzovic.
48th minute: Panic in the Augsburg penalty area as Gnabry makes his way into the box. He loses the ball just before shooting.
49th minute: Sané goes down in the penalty area but the ref doesn't give Werder a second penalty.
52nd minute: Goal for FC Augsburg. Jeffrey Gouweleeuw knocks the ball in from a corner to level the score.
53rd minute: Augsburg have their tails up as they attack again, but Caiuby sends the ball just over the bar.
65th minute: Ja-Cheol Koo has the chance to make it 2-1 but doesn’t score thanks to some good Green-White defending.
71st minute: Augsburg have a free kick in a very dangerous area – just a yard outside the Werder box. Konstantinos Stafylidis scores directly into Wiedwald’s top-left corner. 2-1 to Augsburg.
80th minute: Caiuby misses the chance to extend Augsburg’s lead as his half-volley goes over the bar.
90+5 minute: Full time. Werder lose to FCA.
In conclusion: After losing their first three competitive games of the season, Werder’s season couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start. Today however, the team performed better than in the two other matches against Lotte and Bayern – they showed fight and determination and will feel that Augsburg’s goals were avoidable. The Green-Whites’ next game of the season is away to Gladbach on the 17th of September, kick-off at 18.30 CEST.
