1-1 - Werkself earn point at Augsburg

"We can live with a point," said goalscorer Kevin Volland after the match. "It wasn't an easy game as Augsburg are a very tough tackling and aggressive team. They showed that again today." And Bernd Leno added: "The draw was a fair result in the end. We dominated the first 30 minutes and then Augsburg had a few good chances. With their goal, I was happy to get a hand to the ball from Gregoritsch's header. In that move we were completely asleep."

 LARS BENDER FOR RETSOS

 There was one change to the Bayer 04 line-up following last weekend's derby win against FC Köln: Captain Lars Bender played at right back in place of Panos Retsos. For the hosts, top goalscorer Alfred Finnbogason started on the bench – the Icelander has been suffering with muscular problems.

 Bayer 04 head coach Heiko Herrlich said his team would face a tough challenge at the WWK Arena against the team level on points. His players were fully focused at Augsburg. The first chance of the game fell to Leon Bailey but the FCA goalkeeper Marvin Hitz saved his left-foot shot from 16 yards out on five minutes. The Werkself quickly took control of the game and had more of the ball but were initially unable to create any gilt-edged chances. Until the 19th minute: Julian Brandt hit a free kick high into the Augsburg penalty area where Jonathan Tah rose highest to head just wide of the target.

The first chance for Augsburg was a shot from Gregoritsch but the Austrian’s effort went wide on 23 minutes. Heiko Herrlich was forced into making a change on the half-hour mark after Sven Bender collided with Ja-Cheol Koo. An initial diagnosis suggested a possible broken rib. The central defender was replaced by Retsos.

 Video evidence favours Bayer 04 for the first time

Augsburg now came into the game winning more possession and looking more dangerous in the box. Another header from Gregoritsch was kept out by Leno on 33 minutes and Philipp Max failed to connect properly with a cross in a promising position on 36 minutes. The Werkself started to make a few mistakes in their passing game. The game was then marked by a host of aggressive challenges.

Then came a first for Bayer 04 this term. When a cross hit Retsos on the hand in his own box on 40 minutes, referee Christian Dingert pointed to the spot. He then overturned the decision after looking at video evidence. Bayer 04 have been subject to video evidence four times this season – with the previous decisions all going against Leverkusen. This was the first time it benefited the Werkself.

Augsburg then had another good chance with a header from Gregoritsch but Tah was able to turn the ball away for a corner on the stroke of half-time. The two teams then went into the break.

 FCA cancel out Volland's lead

The two sides were unchanged for the restart. And it started in a frenetic manner. One minute had been played when Tah hit a long ball out to the left flank, Kevin Danso slipped, Volland picked up the ball, dribbled past the Austrian and hit an unstoppable shot from 13 yards out into the net off the bar leaving Hitz with no chance. 1-0 for the Werkself straight after the kick-off.

But the joy at taking the lead did not last long. FCA managed to equalise just three minutes later: A corner came in and Gregoritsch hit a powerful header at goal, Leno pulled off a reflex save to turn it onto the bar but the ball came back into play and Danso was on hand to head home to make it 1-1 on 49 minutes.

The game continued with the same high intensity and plenty of attacking moves and some tough tackling. Luck was on the side of Bayer 04 on 64 minutes when a header from Caiuby hit the outside of the post. The Werkself succeeded in getting into the danger area in the final quarter of an hour. Substitute Dominik Kohr, brought back from Augsburg in the summer, played a one-two with Lucas Alario who put Kai Havertz through. An Augsburg defender was able to make a last-ditch clearance on 77 minutes. That resulted in the next good chance for Lars Bender but his header failed to pose a real problem for Hitz.

The Werkself won a number of corners but were unable to seriously threaten the Augsburg goal. The match ended all square at 1-1.

Bayer 04 are at home to RB Leipzig after the international break on Saturday 18 November (15.30 CET). Next Thursday (9 November), the Werkself have a friendly against second division MSV Duisburg. The match at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium kicks off at 15.00 CET. Entrance is free.

Match stats:

FC Augsburg: Hitz - Opare, Gouweleeuw, Danso, Max - D. Baier, Khedira - Heller (Thommy 74’), Koo (Ji 83’), Caiuby - Gregoritsch

Bayer 04: Leno – L. Bender, Tah, S. Bender (Retsos 31’), Wendell – Baumgartlinger (Alario 56’) – Havertz, Aránguiz - Bailey, Brandt (Kohr 67’) - Volland

Goals: 0-1 Volland (46’), 1-1 Danso (49’)
Referee: Christian Dingert (Lebecksmühle)

Booked: Opare, Caiuby, Gouweleeuw - Retsos, Bailey

Attendance: 24,000