Alarm bells were ringing were about to go off in Vejlby, as AGF trailed Silkeborg by two goals on Saturday. But with two goals in the dying minutes, substitute Janni Serra saved the hosts from humiliation.
The Superliga clash ended 2-2, meaning AGF narrowly avoided a fourth consecutive defeat across all competitions. The fact remains, however, that the team is still without a win after seven matches.
The pressure on the home team was immense as the two sides took the pitch. AGF is in the midst of a busy schedule but still started the match with the most energy.
Sebastian Jorgensen, James Bogere, Mikael Anderson, and Rasmus Carstensen all came close to opening the score in initial phase; Carstensen, in particular, arguably should have scored, having squandered a golden opportunity for the second time.
Silkeborg could thank goalkeeper Aske Andresen—and perhaps the powers that be—for not falling behind during the opening half-hour. That lack of clinical finishing proved costly for AGF, as the visitors struck at the other end instead.
Former Silkeborg full-back Rasmus Carstensen blocked a shot with his arm, and referee Lasse Graagaard pointed to the penalty spot following a VAR check. Rami Al Hajj confidently converted the penalty to make it 1-0.
AGF appeared rattled, and things got worse five minutes before the break. The promising new signing Lucas Riisgaard demonstrated both pace and precision when he broke through alone and hammered the ball into the roof of the net for Silkeborg.
The crowd responded with a chorus of boos as the players headed to the dressing room.
AGF coach Jakob Poulsen tried to change the dynamic of the match by immediately sending Janni Serra and Frederik Emmery onto the pitch; the German striker quickly found himself with a golden opportunity but fired well over the bar.
Callum McCowatt was also thrown into the fray against the club he had just left. Shortly after, he too found himself with the ball in a promising position inside the box but failed to hit the target.
Belief in a comeback slowly faded at Vejlby as time ticked away.
However, a lifeline appeared two minutes before the end of regulation time as one of AGF's many crosses was headed into the net by Serra, sparking a glimmer of hope.
In the final minute, the Silkeborg defense failed to clear the ball from the danger zone; instead, Serra turned and blasted the equalizer into the net.
