Superb Philipp Max free-kick seals crucial win for Augsburg at Paderborn
Augsburg claimed what could be a vital 1-0 win in their relegation six-pointer at Paderborn thanks to a sumptuous Philipp Max strike.
Paderborn 0-1 Augsburg
Goals: 0-1 Max (41')
With both teams going in search of just their second Bundesliga wins of the season, Paderborn were presented with a glorious early chance to seize the initiative. Augsburg's Raphael Framberger, brought into the side to replace Stephan Lichtsteiner at right-back, brought down Streli Mamba in the box, handing Paderborn skipper Klaus Gjasula the opportunity to put the hosts in front after just seven minutes. But the 29-year-old’s nonchalant spot-kick was repelled by Tomas Koubek. Gjasula’s spurned penalty would prove costly as Augsburg took a 1-0 lead into the break thanks to Max’s stunning free-kick, the 26-year-old left-back breaking his goal scoring duck for the season in style.
Steffen Baumgart responded at the start of the second half by introducing Christopher Antwi-Adjei in a bid to bolster Paderborn's attack, but it was Augsburg who created the first chance of note. Ruben Vargas ran onto Alfred Finnbogason's knock-down on the edge of the box, but his effort was tipped over the bar by Leopold Zingerle. Finnbogason thought he had doubled Augsburg's lead having lifted a fine chip over Zingerle shortly after the hour mark, but the Iceland international was marginally offside in the build-up. Chances were at a premium from there on out, Augsburg sealing a victory that moves them up one place to 15th and leaves Paderborn rock bottom.
Match stats
- Sebastian Vasiliadis is the only Paderborn player not to miss a single minute of Bundesliga action this season. The midfielder has covered more ground (130.6 kilometres) in the league than any other player.
- This is Paderborn's first competitive loss at home to Augsburg across seven matches between the two sides.
- The promoted side have now lost nine of their 11 league games this season.
- Augsburg have just two wins in their last 18 Bundesliga away games (five draws, 11 losses). Their previous victory on the road came at Frankfurt in April (3-1).
- Die Fuggerstädter secured their first win in seven league outings, ending the longest winless run in the Bundesliga. That honour now goes to Werder Bremen who are currently six matches without a win.
- Max scored the eighth Bundesliga goal of his career, and first since netting in Augsburg's 6-0 win over VfB Stuttgart in April.
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Line-ups
Paderborn: Zingerle – Jans (Zolinski 79'), Kilian, Schonlau, Collins – Vasiliadis, Gjasula (c) (Michel 60'), Sabiri – Pröger, Mamba, Holtmann (Antwi-Adjei 45')
Unused subs: Huth, Strohdiek, Cauly, Bilogrevic, Shelton, Dräger
Out: Gueye (suspended), Hünemeier (ankle), Kapic (flu), Ritter (match fitness)
Coach: Steffen Baumgart
Augsburg: Koubek – Framberger, Jedvaj, Uduokhai, Max – Richter, Khedira, Baier (c) (Moravek 75'), Vargas – Niederlechner (Cordova 85'), Finnbogason (Gouweleeuw 90+2')
Unused subs: Luthe, Lichtsteiner, Gregoritsch, Iago, Oxford
Out: Götze (hip), Gruezo (ankle), Jensen (knee), Pedersen (knock), Suchy (match fitness)
Coach: Martin Schmidt
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