FC Augsburg may be struggling to secure Bundesliga victories at present, but Manuel Baum's team are certainly providing plenty of entertainment. The Fuggerstädter have scored at least twice in all six of their opening league fixtures, establishing a new club record. Unfortunately, their remarkable attacking output has not translated into a particularly impressive points return.
Augsburg have amassed just eight points despite scoring 16 goals, a total bettered only by Bayern Munich's 22. Four consecutive matches without victory have left Baum facing questions about his team's defensive stability ahead of Saturday's home meeting with Union Berlin.
"If we win matches, there can be as much spectacle as anyone wants," Baum said at Thursday's press conference. "But I have to say there was way too much spectacle in Elversberg. But I guess for outsiders, it's a lot of fun to watch our matches because there's always something going on. For the outside observers, it's a lot of fun. I personally could do with a bit more calm in some situations."
The contrast with the opening weeks of the campaign is striking. Following an extraordinary comeback victory against Eintracht Frankfurt in September, Augsburg celebrated their first-ever appearance at the top of the Bundesliga table . Baum was sufficiently delighted to take a screenshot of the standings, explaining that the historic moment deserved to be remembered even if his team could not remain at the summit indefinitely.
The goals have continued to flow, but Augsburg's inability to protect leads has become an increasingly serious concern. Baum's players have conceded 11 goals across their four-match winless sequence, including five in the final ten minutes of matches this season.
They have surrendered advantages against Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, and Werder Bremen. The Bavarian Swabians have actually led in five of their six Bundesliga fixtures, with last weekend's extraordinary encounter against SV Elversberg providing the sole exception.
That particular match illustrated the entertaining and occasionally bewildering nature of Augsburg's campaign. Elversberg's 4-3 victory featured seven goals, four penalties, and a succession of controversial VAR interventions. Baum's team came within touching distance of recovering from a three-goal deficit before ultimately departing the Saarland empty-handed.
The chaotic contest left players and coaches struggling to process everything that had happened. Baum himself expressed frustration with the officiating, particularly the failure to award what he considered a clear late penalty. The defeat nevertheless highlighted a broader problem that cannot simply be attributed to refereeing decisions.
Augsburg continue to create chances and score goals, but their defensive vulnerabilities have repeatedly undermined otherwise promising performances.
For spectators, Baum's Augsburg have rarely been dull. The coach would undoubtedly prefer a little less excitement in front of his own goal.
