Clinical first half gets the job done for Augsburg
| Anton Kade of Augsburg celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Bundesliga match vs. HSV | Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images |
First-half goals from Dimitrios Giannoulis and Anton Kade secured the points following a 2-0 win, with Augsburg’s aggressive, disciplined game plan unsettling a Leverkusen side who never fully recovered from a chaotic opening spell.
Augsburg struck early, breaking through just six minutes in. Keven Schlotterbeck split Leverkusen’s high defensive line with a superb through ball, releasing Giannoulis to race clear and slot past Mark Flekken. The hosts continued to impose themselves physically, snapping into challenges and earning a couple of early yellow cards as they set the tone.
Leverkusen’s high line remained a major vulnerability, and Augsburg came close again when Alexis Claude-Maurice latched onto another ball over the top, only to see his delicate lob bounce off the crossbar. The pressure soon told. In the 28th minute, Die Werkself were caught in possession and left gaps while attempting to transition back into defence, allowing Giannoulis to deliver a pinpoint cross from the left for the unmarked Kade to power home with a commanding header.
Leverkusen finally threatened just before the interval. Aleix García’s header from a corner struck the post, and Edmond Tapsoba forced a strong save from Finn Dahmen moments later. Augsburg then nearly put the game out of reach in first-half stoppage time when another long ball, this time from Dahmen himself, caused panic in the Leverkusen defence. Kristijan Jakić pounced on the loose ball and attempted a lob, but Loïc Badé recovered brilliantly to clear off the line and keep it 2-0 at the break.
Leverkusen emerged from the dressing room with far more intent. Patrick Schick had the first big chance of the half but couldn’t sort his feet in time, dragging his shot wide. Eliesse Ben Seghir came even closer just after the hour, cutting inside and unleashing a fierce strike that cannoned off the bar.
Augsburg were happy to concede possession and look to threaten on the counter. Kade and Mert Kömür continued to cause problems as Leverkusen pushed bodies forward. The visitors’ best opportunity came 15 minutes from time when a deep cross reached Nathan Tella at the back post, but the winger reacted too slowly from point-blank range and skewed his finish onto the upright.
Despite Leverkusen’s late pressure, Augsburg’s back line remained resolute, dealing comfortably with a stream of hopeful crosses and seeing out the remaining minutes to claim a crucial and thoroughly deserved 2-0 win.
It’s a huge result for Augsburg, just their second victory in seven league matches, lifting them to 13th and opening a five-point cushion above the automatic relegation places. For Leverkusen, it was a deeply frustrating afternoon and a second straight league defeat, though they remain in fourth place for the moment.
