Dhe FC Augsburg has taken a further step towards remaining in the Bundesliga and increased concerns about relegation at Arminia Bielefeld. Thanks to the goal of veteran Daniel Caligiuri (50th minute) to win 1-0 (0-0) over their neighbors in the table, the team of football teacher Markus Weinzierl passed East Westphalia in the table and at least increased the gap to relegation place 16 for a day on three points. As in the impressive 1-1 draw against second-placed Dortmund a week ago, the Augsburgers benefited from an increase in performance in the second half and, after only their second away win, have new hopes for the final sprint of the season.
On the other hand, Bielefeld could not benefit from the higher number of visitors of 19,460 spectators made possible by the new Corona regulation. After the last six home games without defeat, the 0-1 draw is a bitter setback for East Westphalia.
Every meter of grass is fought over
“We knew how important this is today. We didn’t come off that well, but we fought our way into it. I think we were the deserved winners,” said match winner Caligiuri on DAZN and FCA keeper Rafal Gikiewicz added: “Three points, we’ve achieved our goal. The pressure is there. We have experience with such situations. 26 points, now a game against Mainz at home. We have everything in our own hands.” Coach Markus Weinzierl praised: “We did really well.”
The spectators in Bielefeld saw a pure relegation battle. The two teams, who were limited in terms of play, fought many, sometimes tough duels. Every meter was contested, so there were few goal scenes. After just seven minutes, Caligiuri rudely pulled Masaya Okugawa from Bielefeld off his feet. For the Japanese it went on anyway.
For Augsburg’s Felix Uduokhai, on the other hand, it didn’t end so lightly. After a running duel, the defender twisted his ankle and limped off (33′). The pictures didn’t bode well, which Weinzierl later confirmed: “It looks like a ligament injury. The hock immediately became thick.”
Football was also played, albeit without any major highlights in the first half. The supporters of the hosts had to be content with a blocked shot by Arminia veteran Fabian Klos (12th). At the other end, Joel Sarenren Bazee made a dangerous move, but his shot was deflected (37′).
Experienced Caligiuri scores to win
The FCA attacking player, who last scored against Dortmund, joined the team like Iago and Carlos Gruezo. On the other hand, there was no place in the starting eleven for record purchase Ricardo Pepi, who FCA had brought in for a two-digit million amount in January. Michael Gregoritsch (45 + 1) also caused some danger with a header, favored by a faux pas by Bielefeld’s Guilherme Ramos.
Augsburg also came out of the break better and struck straight away. After a quick attack via Iago, Caligiuri scored the lead with a powerful shot. This was also the signal for Arminia to do more for the offensive game. But a lot remained piecemeal. Gikiewicz was no longer properly challenged.