Augsburg’s struggles to protect an advantage continued as they let a two-goal lead slip in a dramatic 2–2 draw against SC Freiburg, marking the second time in four days they have dropped points from a winning position.
All four goals came during a frenetic 20-minute spell shortly after halftime.
Freiburg threatened early through captain Vincenzo Grifo, whose long-range effort drifted narrowly wide in the opening minutes.
The first half was largely disjointed, disrupted by a lengthy stoppage caused by fireworks from the away supporters, with clear chances few and far between.
Alexis Claude-Maurice, fresh from ending his goal drought against Union Berlin, was Augsburg’s most lively attacker and tested Noah Atubolu before the break.
The Frenchman carried that momentum into the second half, breaking the deadlock in the 47th minute when his close-range effort took a deflection off Lukas Kübler and found the net.
Moments later, Augsburg doubled their advantage in bizarre circumstances. Kristijan Jakic was forced off after suffering an unusual injury while heading back onto the pitch, and his replacement, Elvis Rexhbecaj, made an instant impact.
The Kosovo international rose highest to convert Fabian Rieder’s delivery from a short corner, giving the hosts a commanding lead inside five minutes of the restart.
Freiburg responded swiftly. Substitute Yuito Suzuki pulled one back with a stunning volley, igniting the visitors’ comeback.
Julian Schuster’s triple substitution paid dividends, as Freiburg struck twice in quick succession to restore parity.
The equaliser came amid controversy, with Igor Matanović reacting quickest after Michael Gregoritsch appeared to block a goal-bound shot with his hand on the link.
Referee Martin Petersen allowed the goal to stand, cautioning Gregoritsch but avoiding further punishment.
Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages. Finn Dahmen denied Patrick Osterhage with a fine save, while Matanović had another effort ruled out after the ball had already gone out of play.
At the other end, Freiburg defender Bruno Ogbus produced a vital goal-line clearance to deny Claude-Maurice a late winner.
The result lifts Freiburg back into eighth place, while Augsburg remain just four points clear of the automatic relegation zone.
Freiburg next face Köln in the Bundesliga following their Europa League fixture against Maccabi Tel Aviv, while Augsburg brace themselves for a daunting Bavarian derby against unbeaten Bayern Munich.
