Bundesliga
Augsburg claimed what could be a vital 1-0 win in their relegation six-pointer at Paderborn thanks to a sumptuous Philipp Max strike.
Paderborn 0-1 Augsburg
Goals: 0-1 Max (41')
With both teams going in search of just their second Bundesliga wins of the season, Paderborn were presented with a glorious early chance to seize the initiative. Augsburg's Raphael Framberger, brought into the side to replace Stephan Lichtsteiner at right-back, brought down Streli Mamba in the box, handing Paderborn skipper Klaus Gjasula the opportunity to put the hosts in front after just seven minutes. But the 29-year-old’s nonchalant spot-kick was repelled by Tomas Koubek. Gjasula’s spurned penalty would prove costly as Augsburg took a 1-0 lead into the break thanks to Max’s stunning free-kick, the 26-year-old left-back breaking his goal scoring duck for the season in style.
Steffen Baumgart responded at the start of the second half by introducing Christopher Antwi-Adjei in a bid to bolster Paderborn's attack, but it was Augsburg who created the first chance of note. Ruben Vargas ran onto Alfred Finnbogason's knock-down on the edge of the box, but his effort was tipped over the bar by Leopold Zingerle. Finnbogason thought he had doubled Augsburg's lead having lifted a fine chip over Zingerle shortly after the hour mark, but the Iceland international was marginally offside in the build-up. Chances were at a premium from there on out, Augsburg sealing a victory that moves them up one place to 15th and leaves Paderborn rock bottom.
Paderborn: Zingerle – Jans (Zolinski 79'), Kilian, Schonlau, Collins – Vasiliadis, Gjasula (c) (Michel 60'), Sabiri – Pröger, Mamba, Holtmann (Antwi-Adjei 45')
Unused subs: Huth, Strohdiek, Cauly, Bilogrevic, Shelton, Dräger
Out: Gueye (suspended), Hünemeier (ankle), Kapic (flu), Ritter (match fitness)
Coach: Steffen Baumgart
Augsburg: Koubek – Framberger, Jedvaj, Uduokhai, Max – Richter, Khedira, Baier (c) (Moravek 75'), Vargas – Niederlechner (Cordova 85'), Finnbogason (Gouweleeuw 90+2')
Unused subs: Luthe, Lichtsteiner, Gregoritsch, Iago, Oxford
Out: Götze (hip), Gruezo (ankle), Jensen (knee), Pedersen (knock), Suchy (match fitness)
Coach: Martin Schmidt