Super-subs give Augsburg the perfect start to the season
Looking back at the win in Lohne
First Team
01.08.2022, 13:20
The season opener was a success. In the first round of the DFB-Pokal, FC Augsburg romped to a 4-0 win over Regionalliga side Blau-Weiß Lohne. The spotlight was firmly on the substitutes and, above all, a young 17-year-old talent. Here are the game’s talking points…
Super-subs put it to bed: For a long period, FC Augsburg had a tough time of it against a Lohne side that fought tooth and nail. Then a double change in the 61st minute provided a breath of fresh air. In the form of Florian Niederlechner and Fredrik Jensen, two players came into the game that played decisive roles in the second and third goals. Jensen scored the second after a brilliant assist from Niederlechner. For the third, the striker only had to nudge Jensen’s cross over the line. Prior to that, Ricardo Pepi, also a substitute, had broken through down the right during the build-up.
With his first touch of the ball: Shortly before the final whistle, there was yet another goal from the super-subs. Only two minutes after being substituted on, Maurice Malone was in the right place following a defensive error and slotted the ball into the left corner to make it 4-0. On his first competitive appearance back from loan, he did not need long to get going, scoring with his very first touch of the ball. Head coach Enrico Maassen gave special praise to the player “I’m pleased that he rounded off a good preseason with a goal.”
Professional debut: This fixture will probably stay in the memories of one FCA player forever. At the same time as goalscorer Maurice Malone coming on to the pitch, the 87th minute saw 17-year-old left-back Aaron Zehnter make his first team debut with Augsburg. Zehnter, who made a considerable impact with the U19s last season, signed a contract in summer tying him to the club until 2024 – so further appearances are looking very likely in the near future.
Even more debuts: Zehnter was not the only debutant this weekend. In addition to FCA coach Enrico Maaßen, new arrivals Elvis Rexhbecaj, Ermedin Demirovic and Maximilian Bauer all made their competitive debuts in red, green and white colours. Rexhbecaj nearly scored the opener, as his header in the 54th minute narrowly went the wrong side of the post. The new arrival from Wolfsburg is already looking forward to the start of the Bundesliga, commenting: “SC Freiburg next week will obviously be of a different calibre, but we want to give it our everything and get the three points.”
Successful weekend all-round: After the 4-0 victory in Lohne, which included a terrific free-kick from Arne Maier to open the scoring, FC Augsburg progressed to the second round of the DFB Pokal. And this wasn’t the only success for the city of Augsburg this weekend, as it also played host to an international sporting event. The Canoeing World Championships at the Eiskanal saw five gold medals go to German athletes - among them, Augsburg’s very own Sideris Tasiadis, who triumphed in the men’s single C1 event on Sunday. Congratulations!
