In-form Augsburg held by Wolfsburg

Augsburg 1-1 Wolfsburg
Goals: 0-1 Gerhardt 27’ (assist: Baku), 1-1 Gumny (55')

Having won each of their three previous Bundesliga outings coming into this game – including a confidence-boosting triumph over Bayern Munich in mid-September – Augsburg were dominant from the off. Enrico Maaßen’s charges refused to give their visitors any time to settle on the ball and would have taken a deserved lead in the 13th minute if not for a jaw-dropping point-blank save from Koen Casteels to somehow keep out Ermedin Demirovic’s attempt from inside the six-yard box. As the half-hour mark approached Augsburg had had six shots on goal while Wolfsburg were yet to muster a single effort – which made it all the more surprising when they edged in front with their first meaningful attack of the game. Ridle Baku was allowed time and space on the right to pick out a cross, and his pass found Gerhardt arriving unmarked at the back post to prod over the line.

Wolfsburg emerged for the second half determined to build on their lead and kill the game off, with Felix Nmecha, Patrick Wimmer and Omar Marmoush all having chances in the opening five minutes. Yet it was the hosts who added to the scoreline next when the Wolves failed to deal with a corner, Robert Gumny smashing the ball high into the net at the back post after some penalty-box pinball. There were chances at both ends thereafter as the teams sought all three points: Iago fired narrowly wide for Augsburg after a driving run into the box, while Wimmer and Maximilian Arnold both had stinging efforts well saved by Tomas Koubek. There were to be no late twists, however, leaving each side with a share of the spoils.

• Ruben Vargas made his 100th competitive appearance for Augsburg.
• Gerhardt netted his second goal of the season, coming in back-to-back games after scoring the winner against VfB Stuttgart on Matchday 8. He has never scored three in a single Bundesliga campaign.
• Baku's assist was his first of 2022/23.
• Gumny's last Bundesliga goal was on 23 April 2021 in a 3-2 defeat against Cologne.
• Augsburg had 18 shots on goal in this game, a season record for the club.
• Arnold made his Bundesliga debut against Augsburg in November 2011. He remains Wolfsburg's youngest top-flight debutant (17 years, 183 days).

>>> Get Gerhardt for your Fantasy team for 5.9M!

Augsburg: Koubek - Gumny, Bauer, Gouweleeuw (c), Iago - Gruezo, Rexhbecaj - Jensen (Caligiuri 86'), Niederlechner, Vargas (Pedersen 66') - Demirovic
Unused subs: Klein, Maier, Baumgartlinger, Petkov, Winther, Framberger
Out: Berisha (suspended), Dorsch (metatarsal), Gikiewicz (dead leg), Oxford (knee), Sarenren Bazee (cruciate ligament), Hahn (knee), Strobl (knee), Uduokhai (ankle)
Coach: Enrico Maaßen

Wolfsburg: Casteels - Baku, Lacroix, Van de Ven, Otavio – F. Nmecha, Arnold (c), Gerhardt - Wimmer (Paredes 75'), Marmoush (L. Nmecha 75'), Kaminski (Guilavogui 69')
Unused subs: Pervan, Fischer, Bornauw, Waldschmidt, Brekalo, Ambros
Out: Franjic (ill), Kruse (not considered), Roussillon (Achilles), Wind (thigh)
Coach: Niko Kovac