TSV Schwaben Augsburg -- FC Augsburg (28-06-2022)

As part of my COVID-19 self-isolation I drive from Berlin to Augsburg, in the Southwest of Bavaria, to see the friendly “derby” in that city between Bayernliga Süd (sixth tier) club TSV Schwaben Augsburg and Bundesliga (first tier) FC Augsburg. On the way I hear that my new COVID-19 test is negative, so I no longer have to worry about infecting people.

 

As I drive up about 30 minutes before kick-off (at 19.00), I’m shocked by the number of people who are walking towards the stadium. All have tickets and I don’t see open tickets offices. I start to panic slightly. The game is played in the Rosenaustadion, which used to be the home of FC Augsburg, before they moved to the Augsburg Arena in 2009. Currently the women’s and the men’s second team of FC Augsburg play their home games in this fairly old stadium, which has one main stand with 5,900 covered seats.

 

After having found a rare free parking spot, I walk to the stadium and find that they do still sell tickets (€10), but then I have to join a line of easily 400 people that is not moving — they only have one entrance open.

 

The people in the line are not happy and neither am I. Still, I’m relieved it wasn’t sold out and I didn’t drive 600 km to Augsburg for nothing. And there should be a good atmosphere. Still, I do learn that Germans are not very good at queuing.

 

Although most people waited a long time to get in, and then again to get food and drinks from the one concession stand that is open, they are very quiet in the stand. Even close chances get few cheers. Meanwhile, you hear people everywhere talking to each other. As far as I could see, both teams had a few half chances in between the 20th and 30th minute — I missed the first 20. It’s still 0-0.

 

In the 35^th minute I see the first real chance; a cross from the left and an FC Augsburg player is totally free at 5 meters from the goal and tips the ball in. I cannot believe it isn’t offside: 0-1.

 

A few minutes later FC Augsburg has another big chance, with an easy attack over right, but this time the goalie saves the shot from close range. Five minutes later an almost identical attack ,but this time the goalie is already in front of the striker as he tries to tip the cross in. 

 

Just before half-time FC Augsburg hits the crossbar from a free kick just outside of the box. Although Schwaben have had several counters in the first half, the final pass is lacking. Half time score 0-1.

 

In the second half FC Augsburg starts with a whole new team, while Schwaben does not. After seven minutes a rebound to a corner is saved by the Schwaben goalie, but falls for an Augsburg striker, who stands 2 meters from the goal line but also 2 meters next to the goal, and he shoots it across the goal.

 

Given the massive difference in divisions, the difference in quality is not clear enough. Not only does Schwaben get some counters, FC Augsburg is not very impressive in terms of first contact, positioning, or passing. To be fair, the Schwaben goalie also makes some saves. In the 63^rd minute, however, he has no chance when a good corner kick is headed in from 10 meters: 0-2.

 

Less than ten minutes later FC Augsburg scores the 0-3. Eventually, it will end in 0-5, as the Bayerligist totally falls apart. Still, although this was just the first friendly of FC Augsburg, and the result was nice, a lot needs to be done before this team is ready for the new Bundesliga season.

 

It is difficult to read too much into this game with regard to TSV Schwaben Augsburg, which usually doesn’t play in this stadium. Moreover, the vast majority (90%?) of the circa 4,000 people that were in the stadium this evening were FC Augsburg fans. This notwithstanding, it was a nice experience.