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Augsburg (AP) - Florian Niederlechner has freed himself from his goal crisis against Union Berlin and finally brought FC Augsburg together with Rafal Gikiewicz a sense of achievement again.
Niederlechner ended his lean period in a lively 2: 1 (1: 1) against the surprise team from the capital with his premier goal this season and even celebrated his fifth brace in the Bundesliga (17th minute, 47th).
When he met his old love Union goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz became the second Augsburg star after three defeats in a row.
When Marcus Ingvartsen (25th) scored 1: 1, the Polish goalkeeper, who wears a tattoo with the Union club logo on his left forearm, was powerless.
When the video referee decided on a penalty after Niederlechner fouled Grischa Prömel, Gikiewicz (56th) prevented Ingvartsen's second goal.
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Heiko Herrlich's team has increased their cushion on relegation place 16 before the upcoming hammer duels with Dortmund, Wolfsburg, Leipzig and Leverkusen to a whopping seven points.
The Berliners (28) missed the start of the second half of the season to crack the limit of 30 points.
Unsettled by their series of defeats, the Augsburgers initially left most of the game to the Berliners.
If the home side lost the ball, they quickly withdrew.
Both teams weren't looking to take risks at first.
Out of nowhere, one of two changes in Herrlich's starting line-up paid off.
André Hahn extended a tee shot from Gikiewicz with his head into the barrel of Niederlechner.
The 13-time goalscorer last season did not miss this chance and celebrated his first goal of the season.
The 30-year-old shouted his luck at the opening goal with relief.
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But the Berliners also have an attacker who creates danger.
Taiwo Awoniyi shielded the ball with full physical effort and put it in front of the advanced Ingvartsen, who won from the edge of the box with a dry left-footed shot.
The FCA has not played to zero in nine Bundesliga home games.
But no matter if you have Niederlechner!
Union keeper Andreas Luthe, who swapped employers for Gikiewicz last summer, was able to clap a volley from Hahn after Marco Richter had moved the game shortly after the restart - but Niederlechner dusted off.
The Berliners now risked more, Augsburg had more room to counter.
But Gikiewicz then stood out twice within just a few minutes: The 33-year-old not only saved the penalty kick, but also reacted excellently when Awoniyi (60th) shot a shot in rotation.
Gikiewicz & Co. withstood the Berlin run up to the final whistle.
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© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210123-99-142865 / 2
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