Due to muscular problems, Arne Maier was not a factor for FC Augsburg in the first weeks of the season. In the 1:2 in Dortmund, the U-21 European champion was in the starting eleven for the first time – and attracted attention not only with the goal on the crossbar before the intermediate equaliser.
It was not an easy start for Arne Maier in Augsburg. With the U-21 European Championship and the Olympic tournament in his bones, the player on loan from Hertha BSC started his preparation late and had to struggle with the after-effects of these tournaments in the following weeks. His muscles were aching, the 22-year-old needed a break or two and fell behind as a result. He was only allowed to make four short appearances on the first six match days.
On Saturday in Dortmund, Maier was in FCA’s starting eleven for the first time. “Because he had a good week in training, because he worked on his deficit after the injury, because he was convincing in training and is a good footballer,” said coach Markus Weinzierl, justifying Maier’s nomination. “He was very important for us on the ten,” Weinzierl praised the presence and running strength of the U-21 European champion.
Maier worked diligently up front against the ball with the one-two of Andi Zeqiri and Sergio Cordova and also made his mark on the offensive. He set up the 1:1 with a brilliant shot off the crossbar and later also created a chance for Mads Pedersen (58th) before he was sent off after 78 minutes.
In Weinzierl’s view, Maier was part of a “cool team performance from all players”. After the unacceptable performance in the 0:3 in Freiburg, the FCA coach rated Dortmund’s performance as a step in the right direction despite the defeat. “This performance gives me courage for the next weeks, that we get the necessary points,” Weinzierl said. FCA urgently needs to get them after a weak start with only five points from seven games.