FC Augsburg travelled from Schwaben-Bavaria to take on Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park in both sides second game of the Rückrunde. In the reverse fixture on the second matchday of the season a Marco Reus inspired Borussia Dortmund ran out 3-2 winners; despite a spirited second half performance from the hosts.
Die Schwarzgelben have had a disastrous first half of the domestic campaign, and find themselves at the bottom of the table. After a relatively good performance against Bayer Leverkusen last time out, a goalless stalemate, Jürgen Klopp made two changes to his sides starting line-ups. In came Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and İlkay Gündoğan, the Gabonese making his first contribution since his return from the African Cup of Nations.
For Markus Weinzierl and FC Augsburg it has been a stark contrast to the evening's opponents, as Die Fuggerstädter aim to make history and qualify for Europe for the first time in the clubs history. The club from Bavaria sit in 5th place heading into the match. Weinzierl also made two changes; in came new signing Christoph Janker for Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker as well as former Die Schwarzgelben man Ji Dong-Won for the injured Alexander Esswein. The South Korean was resigned from Borussia Dortmund during the Winter Break.
Following on from the weekends 3-1 victory against Hoffenheim, Augsburg started the better of the two sides and had the majority of possession and would create a half chance through Raul Bobadilla; but the Argentines effort wouldn't trouble Roman Weidenfeller. However, as the game went on Dortmund grew into the game and would go close through new signing Kevin Kampl as well as the returning Aubameyang, the former due to an error from Ragnar Klavan.
The hosts grew in confidence and were deploying their famous "gegenpressing" style at every given opportunity. This would lead to the biggest chance of the match so far in the 26th minute; after Ciro Immobile won the ball back in the opposition box and released a seemingly goal bound shot which was turned in by Aubameyang. However, it would have to be chalked off as the linesman's flag was aloft; second inspection showed that Aubameyang was indeed in an offside position.
Into a now rare foray in the Dortmund half, Augsburg would also have an a very good opportunity to take the lead after Halil Altintop ducked in and out of the Dortmund defence before laying the ball off for Paul Verhaegh to strike, but the Dutch international blazed wide. Remarkably the right fullback is Die Fuggerstädter's top scorer so far this campaign having contributed 5 goals to his sides attacking exploits.
The visitors would once again come out strong and would get the perfect start and heap more misery onto Borussia Dortmund in the 50th minute. Once again, Halil Altintop ducked and weaved in and out of challenges and at one point it looked like he'd go all the way; but the Turkish attacker was eventually dispossessed. However the ball landed at the feet of Raul Bobadilla who smashed past the on-rushing Roman Weidenfeller, his third goal in three games and his second against Dortmund this season. The 80'000 packed into Signal Iduna Park fell silent apart from the small section of travelling Augsburg fans.
It nearly got even worse for the hosts as Tobias Werner rushed towards Weidenfeller, but the German midfielder fluffed his lines and the chance went begging.
A lifeline was gifted to the hosts shortly after. Aubameyang was clean through on goal before being brought down by Christoph Janker, on his FC Augsburg debut. The resulting scramble resulted in nothing, so referee Marco Fritz pulled back play and after some deliberation dismissed the former Hertha Berlin man.
From that point on it was all Borussia Dortmund, apart from some rare forays from the visitors. Markus Weinzierl's side were defending for their lives and stopping numerous Dortmund attacks. The hosts were running out of ideas and with every attack it became more desperate than the last. A goal was the last thing that looked to happen for Jürgen Klopp's side and it wouldn't come. Dortmund defeated for the first time ever by FC Augsburg.
The result sees Borussia Dortmund remain bottom of the Bundesliga table, next up for Jürgen Klopp and Dortmund is a trip to Freiburg. Whereas for Markus Weinizerl and FC Augsburg it was a historic victory and this seasons European dream goes on. They rise to 4th in the table ahead of their next game at home to Eintracht Frankfurt.