Anticipated First Cup Appearance: FCA Coach Wagner Awaits Amusement Park-like Debut - No leisure park in sight: FCA coach Wagner eager for the initial match of the cup competition
In the opening round of the DFB-Pokal, FC Augsburg faced off against Hallescher FC, a team known for their strong performances in the fourth-tier Regionalliga. According to Sandro Wagner, the new coach of FC Augsburg, the game was expected to be intense, with tickets sold out and a primed atmosphere for an exciting encounter.
The match was scheduled for Sunday evening at 6:00 PM and would be broadcast on Sky. Wagner, who has a philosophy of "all or nothing," was eager for his first competitive game with the team.
The preseason had been a mixed bag for FC Augsburg, with only two wins out of six friendly games. However, the team seemed to have found their footing, with key players like summer signing Han-Noah Massengo, Steve Mounié, and Samuel Essende delivering impressive performances. Captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, who had recovered from a hand injury, was also ready to take the field.
Despite his past experience in the Regionalliga, Wagner did not view Hallescher FC as an advantage. Alexis Claude-Maurice, on the other hand, would be missing from the game due to "aches and pains in his foot" and needed a few more days to recover.
Hallescher FC, who had won their first three Regionalliga games, were not to be underestimated. They had shown a mix of results in their preseason, with wins against Hertha Zehlendorf, Magdeburg II, BFC Dynamo, and Hertha Zehlendorf again, as well as a heavy defeat against Greifswalder FC.
The game lived up to expectations, with FC Augsburg dominating possession and creating chances through dribbling and crosses by Mert Kömür, Marius Wolf, and Dimitris Giannoulis. The pressure paid off when Steve Mounié scored in the 52nd minute, followed by Samuel Essende's goal in the 79th minute, securing a 2-0 victory for FC Augsburg.
Wagner praised the team's maturity and professional game management, while Gouweleeuw highlighted the team's calm performance. Players like Marius Wolf and Keven Schlotterbeck expressed satisfaction with the win and readiness for the season ahead.
This match marked Wagner’s first competitive team victory as Augsburg coach. With the real action of the season finally beginning, Wagner expressed relief and a sense of responsibility, promising respect and humility for the opposition.
References:
[1] Sport1
[2] Kicker
[3] Bild
[4] Süddeutsche Zeitung
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