Augsburg recorded a third successive victory by coming from behind to beat Hamburger SV 3-1 at the SGL Arena this afternoon.
Both sides looked eager to take control from the first whistle, but chances were rare as Rafael van der Vaart curled the best early opening past the post from the edge of the box.
Jaroslav Drobny came to the rescue for the visitors midway through the first half to get a strong hand on a powerful strike from Raul Bobadilla.
It looked like that save would prove to be vital when Augsburg fell behind in first-half stoppage time to a fine finish from Van der Vaart after the Dutch playmaker had exchanged passes with Artjoms Rudnevs.
However, the hosts hit back early in the second half through Halil Altintop, who tapped in from close range after Drobny had failed to collect a dangerous free kick from Nikola Djurdjic.
Bobadilla then handed Augsburg a deserved lead just after the hour mark by sliding in to convert Baba Rahman's inviting cross.
The lively Djurdjic continued to cause problems for the visiting defence, and his clever movement inside the box won his team a penalty after he was brought down by Ashton Gotz.
Paul Verhaegh stepped up from 12 yards to fire home and secure what would prove to be a comfortable win Markus Weinzierl's side.
Callum Mulvihill
