FC Augsburg vs Borussia Dortmund: Where the game could be won and lost

Where the game can be won

This game will hinge on Borussia Dortmund’s ability to find spaces through the Augsburg defence. If Augsburg don’t press as a unit or if their second striker fails to drop back to help out defensively, it is going to be a long afternoon for them.

They cannot afford to let Axel Witsel and Jude Bellingham dictate play. Borussia Dortmund’s midfield duo will have a lot of the ball, and they will be aiming to set up the likes of Gio Reyna, Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland. It is also going to be extremely important that the Augsburg players look after the ball further up the pitch so that their defence can get a breather from time to time. Augsburg tend to leave out spaces at the back, as we saw when the two sides met in January. And Mats Hummels’ trademark long balls could be a useful tool, with Sancho and Haaland running in behind the defence.

Augsburg captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw will be trying to keep his central defence partner Felix Uduokhai and his central midfield duo of Rani Khedira and Carlos Gruezo compact to try and cut out any space between the two lines for Dortmund to try and exploit. This is a lot easier said than done but it is something they must do if they have any hopes of getting something positive out of the game.

In attack, a lot of responsibility lies with Ruben Vargas and Daniel Caligiuri for Augsburg as they will be the creators in chief. Caligiuri has an impressive recent record against Borussia Dortmund, and could hurt them on the counter attack. Emre Can likes to push forward from right centre back, and one of the two wingers could take advantage of the space left in behind by the German international.

Borussia Dortmund go into the game as heavy favourites, and with Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho leading the line, it should be a straightforward win for them. Augsburg have a few tools which could cause Dortmund problems, but only if Lucien Favre’s side don’t turn up.