The imminent return of up to 7500 spectators at FC Augsburg’s home games makes coach Markus Weinzierl particularly happy. In February, three games will be played in the Fuggerstadt
Since the beginning of December, the WWK Arena has remained empty in three home games. Augsburg fans could only watch two draws against Frankfurt and Leipzig (both 1-1) and a 2:3 defeat against VfL Bochum on their TV screens. The announcement that the stadiums in Bavaria may once again be used to 25 per cent capacity and with a maximum of 10,000 spectators was received with great joy in the Fuggerstadt.
“This is very important, I would like to thank Markus Söder personally,” Weinzierl emphasised and wanted it to be understood as a little joke, after all, the Bavarian Prime Minister had more important things to do than talk to him, the head coach added. “The 7500 fans will help us and give us a tailwind. It’s terrible to play without spectators. I speak for the team there as well. “
Three FCA home games in four weeks – “The spectators help us “
For the FCA, the Free State’s advance in the hotly debated nationwide debate about permitted spectator capacities comes at just the right time. With Union Berlin (5 February), SC Freiburg (19 February) and Borussia Dortmund (27 February), the 16th-placed team in the table will be hosting three rivals within four weeks. Even though these opponents currently occupy fourth, fifth and second place in the table, Augsburg urgently need to score three points again in order not to lose any more ground in the bottom of the table.
“For us, it is important to get into the last three per cent to deliver 100 per cent. Then we are strong, competitive and can also win against Bayern Munich. And the spectators help us to reach that last three per cent by pushing the players and bringing in emotions. We need that especially in the next three home games,” Weinzierl continued. It was precisely during the aforementioned 2-1 surprise coup against the record champions on 19 November that spectators were in their own arena for the last time.
Managing director Michael Ströll also echoed the coach’s sentiments: “The return of spectators offers us an important perspective. After all, there have already been indoor events in Germany in recent weeks and months with an even higher occupancy rate, it is the right decision to now allow spectators back in football outdoors as well. “
