Ginczek strikes late as Wolfsburg down Augsburg

Augsburg 1-2 Wolfsburg
Goals: 0-1 Steffen (43'), 1-1 Jedvaj (54'), 1-2 Ginczek (90'+1)

Back in action after a two-month hiatus, the two sides made a tentative start to the game, with the first meaningful effort only arriving on the quarter-hour. Following a corner, Augsburg's Ruben Vargas almost squeezed a low drive under Koen Casteels, but the Wolfsburg keeper just about managed to stop the ball crossing the line. The hosts were looking sprightly on the counter-attack, with Casteels called into action again to deny a marginally offside Florian Niederlechner. The Wolves then began to assert themselves as Paulo Otavio fired just wide, before Renato Steffen headed straight at home stopper Andreas Luthe from a Maximilian Arnold free-kick. Swiss international Steffen went on to give his side the lead shortly before half-time, steering a brilliant long-range header beyond the reach of Luthe from Otavio's pinpoint delivery.

Augsburg began the second half brightly as Marco Richter stung Casteels' palms with a well-struck effort from just inside the area. The hosts then drew level when Philipp Max whipped in a superb free-kick that USA defender John Brooks headed towards his own net – Casteels deflected the ball onto the underside of the crossbar, and Tin Jedvaj was on hand to nod in the rebound. Both sides then had a goal ruled out. Admir Mehmedi was clearly offside when he stroked home for Wolfsburg, but substitute Felix Uduokhai looked to have put Augsburg ahead within minutes of coming on, from another wicked Max delivery, until his headed effort was also chalked off following a VAR referral. Mehmedi hit the post with a spectacular attempt and forced another good save from Luthe before Kevin Mbabu jinked past his man and squared for substitute Ginczek to secure a late win for Wolfsburg, handing Augsburg a fourth straight league defeat.

• Though he stands at only 5'7", three of Steffen's five Bundesliga goals this season have been headers. The Swiss international is the Wolves' top scorer in 2020, with all five of his goals coming since the turn of the year.
• Jedvaj grabbed his second goal in 25 Bundesliga outings for Augsburg. He previously netted three in 81 top-flight appearances for Bayer Leverkusen.
• Ginczek was on target for the third time this term, having notched a brace against Paderborn on Matchday 20.
• Augsburg are winless in their last five meetings with Wolfsburg.
• Wolfsburg recorded the biggest win of their Bundesliga history against Augsburg on the final day of last season (8-1).
• Striker Wout Weghorst has only missed one Bundesliga match since moving to Wolfsburg in summer 2018. The Dutchman was their 17-goal top scorer last season, and has 11 in the current campaign.

Augsburg: Luthe - Framberger, Suchy (Uduokhai 65'), Jedvaj, Max - Khedira, Baier (c) - Richter (Sarenren Bazee 87'), Löwen (Cordova 87'), Vargas (Iago 79') - Niederlechner
Unused subs: Koubek, Lichtsteiner, Moravek, Gruezo, Oxford
Out: Finnbogason (knee), Giefer (foot), Gouweleeuw (fitness), Schieber (calf)
Coach: Heiko Herrlich

Wolfsburg: Casteels (c) - Mbabu, Pongracic, Brooks, Otavio (Roussillon 87') - Steffen, Schlager, Arnold - Brekalo (Ginczek 61'), Mehmedi, Victor (Klaus 74')
Unused subs: Pervan, Marmoush, Knoche, Tisserand, Justvan, May
Out: Camacho (ankle), Gerhardt (head injury), Guilavogui (knee), Weghorst (suspended), William (knee)
Coach: Oliver Glasner