Finn Dahmen made his season debut in Augsburg’s 3-0 win over Schalke – and wants to follow it up with more games soon.
“Happy” was Finn Dahmen on Tuesday evening and had every reason to be. In the 3-0 win against second division side Schalke, the FC Augsburg goalkeeper made his first appearance of the season and even managed to keep a clean sheet. In the previous season, he had to wait 24 games before keeping a clean sheet at the back.
But that wasn’t the only reason Dahmen attributed his “successful comeback” to himself; he also had his defenders to thank for the fact that they kept the workload in the second half to such an extent that the goalkeeper at least got a little something to do. Otherwise, last year’s signing from Mainz had relatively little to do. “He exuded calm,” said teammate Elvis Rexhbecaj, at least.
Only Neuer has a worse save rate than Labrovic
After Dahmen had ankle surgery last May and only returned to team training a few weeks ago, there is now a new competitive situation in the Augsburg goal. Summer newcomer Nediljko Labrovic, who came from Rijeka for two and a half million euros, was between the posts at the start of the season, but has not yet been able to convince in the long term.
Of the Bundesliga’s first-choice goalkeepers, only Manuel Neuer (50 percent) has a poorer save rate than Labrovic (51.3), who has not kept a clean sheet once in eight league games and has already conceded 19 times. Only newly promoted Holstein Kiel have conceded more goals (23).
“Every session, every game brings me further,” Dahmen said on Tuesday, increasing the pressure on the coach: “Of course I want to be in goal every weekend too.”
Whether or when the cards will be reshuffled? Open, coach Jess Thorup let Dahmen play in the cup game as announced, but is likely to back Labrovic again in Wolfsburg at the weekend.
“I feel ready,” said challenger Dahmen. “I think I played well today and showed the coach that I’m there; that he can count on me. I’ll give it my all in every training session and hope that he puts me in goal again as soon as possible.”