Augsburg Football Club Experiences Centre Shift
FC Augsburg is set to undergo a significant change under the leadership of new coach, Sandro Wagner. The German club is expected to adopt an "active football" style, characterized by high intensity and pressing, aiming to control the game and not let opponents dictate play.
Wagner's coaching philosophy is meticulous and people-oriented, focusing on modern, data-driven training methods. Players are equipped with iPads for training and match reviews, aerial drones, and a giant screen for real-time analysis during sessions.
One of the first signs of this transition is the signing of Han-Noah Massengo, a promising young midfielder. Massengo, known for his attacking and defensive skills, is set to replace Frank Onyeka in the team and boost the squad’s capability to execute this style. His addition has increased competition in the Augsburg central midfield, with more than twice the number of players for the three starting spots.
While specifics about departures are not detailed, Wagner’s new regime suggests some reshaping of the squad to fit his active style, possibly involving players who may not fit the higher-intensity demands. The squad at FC Augsburg is currently "very large," according to Wagner.
One departure from the Augsburg attack has already been made, with Dion Beljo returning to his home country of Zagreb after the club and Beljo were unable to reach an agreement for his contract. Beljo's departure is due to his disappointment with the handling of Jess Thorup and Marinko Jurendic.
The return of national team players Steve Mounié and Dimitrios Giannoulis is expected to provide a clearer overview in the coming weeks. Further departures from the team are also possible.
It is worth noting that Massengo, in his time in the French Ligue 1, was among the top 15% in terms of tackles won and was also one of the more assertive ball carriers. However, his passing could use improvement, with only 2.41 progressive passes per 90 minutes, placing him in the bottom 4% compared to midfielders in top five leagues.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how FC Augsburg fares under Wagner's new playing style and the changes to the squad. The addition of Massengo is a promising start, and further developments are expected in the transfer market.
Under Sandro Wagner's leadership, FC Augsburg is set to adopt an active football style, heightening the significance of sports-analysis for the team. The new regime may result in further reshaping of the squad, as some players might not fit the higher-intensity demands, possibly leading to additional sports-related departures from the club.
This season, sports-analysis becomes crucial in assessing the impact of new signing Han-Noah Massengo's arrival on FC Augsburg's performance. Despite his strong defensive and attacking skills, Massengo's passing could use improvement, which may require further sports-analysis and training.
