In a spirited performance, Holstein Kiel celebrated their second consecutive victory, with standout player Alexander Bernhardsson leading the charge. Even injured scorer Shuto Machino made an appearance on crutches to join in the celebration. Just a week after a thrilling 4-3 home win against Borussia Mönchengladbach, Kiel secured a composed 3-1 (2-0) win against FC Augsburg, showcasing remarkable morale and effectiveness as they approach the end of the season.
Bernhardsson, who scored twice, expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating, „It was really very good from us from the start. Whenever we got the ball, we were dangerous throughout the game.“ With this victory, Kiel, now with 25 points, has closed the gap to just one point behind 1. FC Heidenheim, who currently occupies the 16th place in the relegation zone. Direct salvation remains mathematically possible, although Kiel’s final two opponents are SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund.
Decisive Moments in the Match
Kiel’s solid display thwarted Augsburg’s slim hopes for European qualification. Two key players influenced Kiel’s away success: goalkeeper Thomas Dähne, who made several crucial saves, and Bernhardsson, who scored in the 40th and 51st minutes. Steven Skrzybski acknowledged the team’s effectiveness, saying, „One must say, we had an outstanding goalkeeper; that’s the only way to win games. Up front, we were very effective.“ Augsburg’s consolation goal came too late from substitute Steve Mounie in the 90th minute.
Key Penalty Decision
A pivotal moment occurred in front of 28,660 spectators at the Augsburg Arena when a significant tackle by Chrislain Matsima on Bernhardsson was deemed a foul by referee Harm Osmers, despite Matsima making contact with the ball. The Video Assistant confirmed the decision, leading to Machino converting the penalty emphatically in the 25th minute. Shortly after, Machino had to leave the field due to injury after twisting his ankle, with coach Marcel Rapp uncertain about the extent of the injury.
Augsburg’s goalkeeper Finn Dahmen described the penalty as a setback, while Matsima contested the referee’s decision, insisting he made contact with the ball first, while Bernhardsson supported the referee’s call, stating Matsima hit his foot before the ball.
The Augsburg side not only struggled with the referee’s decisions but also missed several opportunities to score. Rising star Mert Kömür was denied twice before halftime by the impressive Dähne (18th and 21st minutes), and teammate Kristijan Jakic failed to capitalize on a central header (43rd minute). Additionally, Alexis Claude-Maurice hit the post in the 64th minute, marking a challenging day for Augsburg.
Bernhardsson’s Stellar Performance
It was a standout day for Bernhardsson, who showcased his speed and direct attacking play. His first goal came after a brilliant pass from Skrzybski, as he quickly reacted to a blocked shot, heading the ball over Dähne into the net for his sixth goal of the season. He then sealed his double with a precise finish following another fine assist from Skrzybski, bringing his tally to seven goals this season.