After the loss of Max Kruse, 1. FC Union Berlin was shown the limits by FC Augsburg.

The extremely goal-oriented team of coach Markus Weinzierl was able to gain some breathing room in the relegation battle with the 2-0 (1-0) on Saturday.

The Berliners, who had been far too reserved for a long time, suffered a setback in the race for an international starting place in the first game without their attacking genius Kruse.

After five games without a win in the Bundesliga, Michael Gregoritsch (16th minute) and André Hahn (59th) made FCA celebrate in front of 7600 spectators.

Union hardly ever prevailed against the strong protection of the home side.

Sven Michel (SC Paderborn), who was committed to replacing Kruse who had moved to VfL Wolfsburg, was allowed to play in the last half hour.

He didn't have more than one dangerous long-range shot (65th).

Union had the first chance early on with a header from Niko Gießelmann (5th) – but then FC Augsburg in particular stepped on the gas.

Markus Weinzierl's team put the guests under pressure with quick changes.

Aggressive pressing forced the lead: Former Augsburg goalkeeper Andreas Luthe put Benjamin Knoche under pressure with his opening, Arne Maier stole the ball from the box and immediately passed it on to goal scorer Gregoritsch.

Berliners had considerable trouble

Florian Niederlechner (25th) then had the chance to make it 2-0 when Union captain Christopher Trimmel saved with a tackle just in front of the goal line.

Luthe was beaten long ago.

Augsburg was quicker to act, the Berliners had a lot of trouble building up the game.

When things got more dangerous, it was through asset Sheraldo Becker on the right flank.

Kruse's replacement Taiwo Awoniyi, who was back at the Africa Cup of Nations after losing to Nigeria, had a lot to do with the FCA defence.

On the other side, Gregoritsch (40') was in front of the next goal: A cracker with his weak right foot from around 25 meters only landed on the crossbar.

Gießelmann (44th), who ran along, headed just over the goal again just before half-time.

A brilliant Kruse moment would have done Union good.

After the break, the Berliners at least pushed the wing game - albeit without success at first.

Instead, FCA struck ice-cold again: Hahn simply wasn't attacked, he shot from distance and scored his third goal of the season with the cracker.

And union?

The Berliners seemed sluggish.

After coming on as a substitute (61'), Michel had an action for Andreas Voglsammer, but his shot rolled wide of the right post.

Genki Haraguchi (79th) also failed to overcome Augsburg keeper Rafal Gikiewicz for the now more committed capital city.