Schlotterbeck lets Augsburg party – Kleindienst target after DFB appointment not enough

Schlotterbeck-lets-Augsburg-party-–-Kleindienst-target-after-DFB-appointment

Claude-Maurice scores on his league debut

Schlotterbeck lets Augsburg party – Kleindienst target after DFB appointment not enough

©IMAGO

Before his national team debut with Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga, Tim Kleindienst had an annoying evening in Augsburg despite his third goal of the season. The center forward, named for the first time by national coach Julian Nagelsmann, lost 1:2 (0:1) against Borussia at FCA at the start of the 6th day. The 29-year-old’s goal in the 72nd minute did not result in a turnaround.

The Augsburg team, however, applauded twice in front of 30,660 spectators in the sold-out WWK Arena. After defender Keven Schlotterbeck’s volley goal (38th minute) and newcomer Alexis Claude-Maurice’s 2-0 (65th) for their Bundesliga debut, coach Jess Thorup’s team drew with seven points ahead of Gladbach (6th).

“For me it’s a dream come true,” Kleindienst reacted to the first appointment to the DFB. The day before his possible first international appearance for Germany next week in the Nations League in the club jersey was not a dream.

Kleindienst, who was appointed by Nagelsmann to replace the still injured striker Niclas Füllkrug, was able to promote himself and play a role against Bosnia and Herzegovina or the Netherlands with his header after a corner and two other good finishes. The huge center forward worked as usual up front. In the 31st minute, he scored powerfully for the first time from a tight angle, cleared by Alassane Plea. Before his third goal of the season, Augsburg’s good goalkeeper Nediljko Labrovic also managed to save a header (62nd).

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The best chance to score 1-1 was not Kleindienst, but Tomas Cvancara. The Czech, a double scorer in the 4-4 draw at Augsburg last season, was denied by Labrovic with his shot in the 47th minute. After conceding 14 goals in the first five games of the season, Augsburg were at least a little more stable defensively.

The level of play was still very manageable in the first half. But Augsburg’s first goal was artistically valuable. Following a corner, Elvis Rexhbecaj crossed into the penalty area. Ko Itakura from Gladbach headed clear, but directly at Schlotterbeck. The central defender took the ball with his chest and scored with a powerful volley. Even before Augsburg’s second goal, Itakura did not clear well.

Gladbach goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas prevented Augsburg from making it 2-0 shortly before halftime when he managed to parry a long-range shot from Kristijan Jakic. FCA coach Thorup changed the system after Rubén Vargas was absent due to an ankle injury. He switched to two strikers to create more power after crosses into the penalty area. However, Phillip Tietz and Steve Mounié did not score goals.