Essende brace secures Augsburg victory at Bremen | OneFootball

Essende's double secures second consecutive away victory for Augsburg in Bremen

Bremen 0-2 AugsburgGoals: 0-1 Essende 5’, 0-2 Essende 45’+1 (assist: Giannoulis)

Bremen were looking to secure their first win of the new year, and were able to welcome back captain Marco Friedl from suspension. Augsburg, buoyed by their recent away victory over Union Berlin in midweek, were forced to replace the suspended Frank Onyeka with Arne Maier. With both teams eager to climb the table, the stage was set for an intriguing encounter in the snow-dusted Bremen.

Samuel Essende fires past the Bremen defence to score Augsburg's second goal (IMAGO/nordphoto GmbH / Kokenge)

Essende strikes early

The match burst into life in the 5th minute when Essende broke the deadlock for the visitors. The striker, receiving a pass from Maier, skilfully evaded Friedl's challenge before slotting a precise right-footed finish past Michael Zetterer. Bremen, stunned by the early setback, sought to respond quickly. Romano Schmid, making his 100th Bundesliga appearance, tested Finn Dahmen with a curling effort, but the Augsburg keeper was equal to it.

A fierce contest: Romano Schmid (r.) challenges Elvis Rexhbecaj (l.). (Stuart Franklin)

Bremen's frustration mounts

As the first half progressed, Bremen's frustration grew. Twice they thought they had equalised, only for both efforts to be ruled out for offside. First, Anthony Jung's close-range finish was chalked off, then Jens Stage's strike was disallowed after Marvin Ducksch was caught offside in the build-up. Augsburg's defence held firm against the increasing Bremen pressure. In the 39th minute, a potential turning point arose when Kristijan Jakić was initially shown a red card for a last-man foul on Ducksch. However, after a VAR review, referee Benjamin Brand reversed his decision, allowing Jakić to remain on the pitch. Just as it seemed the visitors would take a slender lead into the break, Essende struck again. In first-half stoppage time, the Congolese forward met Dimitrios Giannoulis' cross with a powerful header, doubling Augsburg's advantage and leaving Bremen shell-shocked.

Bremen's luck deserts them

The second half saw Bremen throw everything at Augsburg in search of a way back into the match. Their efforts nearly paid off in the 55th minute when Marco Grüll's strike beat Dahmen but cruelly struck the post. Minutes later, Anthony Jung's deflected cross looped over Zetterer but hit the crossbar, providing a brief moment of fortune for the hosts. Despite dominating possession (65%) and peppering the Augsburg goal with 19 shots compared to Augsburg's 8, Ole Werner's side couldn't find a breakthrough. In a bid to change the tide, Werner made a triple substitution in the 72nd minute, bringing on Julián Malatini, Issa Kaboré, and Justin Njinmah. The visitors, meanwhile, defended resolutely, with Cédric Zesiger and Elvis Rexhbecaj both receiving yellow cards for their efforts to preserve the clean sheet.

Player of the Match: Samuel Essende

Samuel Essende's match-winning performance was the difference between the two sides. The Augsburg striker displayed clinical finishing, scoring with both of his shots on target. His first goal showcased his skill in beating a defender and finding the bottom corner, while his second demonstrated his aerial prowess. Essende's brace, his first goals since October, proved decisive in securing the victory for Augsburg against a Bremen side that dominated possession but lacked the finishing touch.

Bundesliga Match FactsxGoals: Bremen 1.44 - Augsburg 0.71Fastest player: Dimitrios Giannoulis (FCA), 34.3 km/hMost pressed player: Romano Schmid (SVW), 46 times under pressurePass efficiency: Anthony Jung (SVW), +2.95

Fantasy Heroes: Marco Friedl (Werder Bremen, 324 Points), Jens Stage (Werder Bremen, 288 Points), Samuel Essende (Augsburg, 266 Points)

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