Frankfurt cement fifth with win in Augsburg

Augsburg 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
Goals: 1-0 Berisha 1' (assist: Demirovic), 1-1 Rode 13' (assist: Dina Ebimbe), 1-2 Knauff (64')

Augsburg went into the game winless in their previous four league assignments but began with vigour, looking to take advantage of any tired Frankfurt legs following their midweek UEFA Champions League exertions. Their aggressive start paid off inside the first minute when Mergim Berisha collected Ermedin Demirovic's pass, jinked inside Tuta and rifled a low shot into the corner from the edge of the box. Undeterred, Frankfurt hit back 12 minutes later when Mario Götze released Junior Dina Ebimbe down the right, and his low cross into the middle was stroked in from close range by Sebastian Rode. Djibril Sow almost put Frankfurt ahead moments later with a low drive from distance that Rafal Gikiewicz did well to tip around the post.

Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner introduced Ansgar Knauff at the interval and the change very nearly paid instant dividends when the winger sprinted forward on the left within seconds of the restart, but he too was denied by Gikiewicz. There was very little by way of attacking menace from Augsburg in the second half as Frankfurt sought to wrestle control, with Jesper Lindström going close with a free-kick before Knauff completed the Eagles’ comeback midway through the half, steering a shot through a crowd of legs after the home side failed to deal with a corner. Randal Kolo Muani hit the post late on, but in the end it was of little consequence as Frankfurt collected their fifth win in their last seven Bundesliga games.

• Berisha's strike after 30 seconds was the fastest goal scored in the Bundesliga this seaosn.
• Knauff's goal was his first of the season, and Frankfurt's fourth following a corner.
• Rode netted his third of the campaign - he's never scored more league goals in a single season.
• Frankfurt earned their seventh league win of 2022/23: in the first half of 2021/22 they only managed three.
• The Eagles are now unbeaten in their last six meetings with Augsburg, winning four and drawing two.
• Augsburg are the only Bundesliga team to have lost three times from winning positions this season.

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Augsburg: Gikiewicz - Pedersen, Bauer, Gouweleeuw (c), Iago (Uduokhai 86') - Maier (Gumny 60'), Baumgartlinger - Jensen (Oxford 86'), Niederlechner (Vargas 60'), Demirovic - Berisha
Unused subs: Koubek, Winther, Caligiuri, Zehnter, Petkov
Out: Dorsch (metatarsal), Framberger (gashed knee), Gruezo (suspended), Hahn (knee), Rexhbecaj (suspended), Sarenren Bazee (cruciate ligament), Strobl (knee)
Coach: Enrico Maaßen

Frankfurt: Trapp (c) - Tuta, Jakic, Ndicka - Dina Ebimbe (Alidou 85'), Rode (c) (Smolcic 64'), Sow, Pellegrini (Knauff 46') - Lindström (Borre 64'), Götze - Kolo Muani (Alario 88')
Unused subs: Ramaj, Onguene, Toure, Wenig
Out: Buta (knee), Chandler (ill), Hasebe (knee), Kamada (ill), Lenz (thigh)
Coach: Oliver Glasner