Markus Weinzierl took a risk – and was rewarded. Returners Jeffrey Gouweleeuw and Reece Oxford were an important factor in the 2-0 win in Cologne. Against Leipzig, however, FC Augsburg will have to rebuild their defence again.
The central defence was a complex puzzle for Weinzierl last week. Temporary substitutes Robert Gumny and Frederik Winther had tried hard against Hertha (1:1) and Bochum (2:3), but performed incorrectly. Hopes of a comeback by Felix Uduokhai were dashed by a positive Coronatest. And two established players only returned to training shortly before the game in Cologne: Jeffrey Gouweleeuw after a COVID-19 illness on Wednesday, Reece Oxford after a thigh blister not until the final training session on Thursday.
Weinzierl opted for the cold start of his recently sorely missed regular duo. “It was a risk. But if you don’t risk anything, you usually don’t win anything “, the coach stated with satisfaction when it became clear that he had made the right decision. With Gouweleeuw and Oxford, FCA looked stable in the defensive centre against Cologne’s one-two Anthony Modeste and Sebastian Andersson – and remained without conceding a goal. Oxford, in particular, threw himself in energetically in some tricky situations.
“It was important for the team that Reece and I were back. Robert and Freddy did a good job, but when so many centre-backs are out, no team can replace that well,” said Gouweleeuw, reporting: “I fought for Reece to play.” Perhaps, the Dutchman speculated, Cologne did not expect FCA to be back with their established central defence already.
“Sometimes you have to gamble a little bit to win “, said Gouweleeuw, who had not trained for two and a half weeks – first because of back pain, then because of Corona. “It was not so easy. But the experience makes it easier. I have to be there for the team, in good times, in bad times. “
Despite the win, things remain tense for FCA – and Tuesday against RB Leipzig the captain will be missing again. He needlessly picked up his fifth yellow card during a scuffle. “I did almost nothing, he gives me yellow,” Gouweleeuw was annoyed, but also recognised the positive side of his suspension: “At some point I have to get the yellow card. Then I’ll definitely be there against Fürth. “