Augsburg’s Sandro Wagner praises ‘power pups’ and endorses ‘flexibility bonus’ for Robin Fellhauer | OneFootball

It took six weeks and five matchdays for FC Augsburg head coach Sandro Wagner to finally secure his second Bundesliga win. Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat of VfL Wolfsburg nevertheless proved worth the wait. Many aspects of the home team’s performance engendered optimism moving forward. Wagner’s job has not only been saved, but likely secured for the foreseeable future.

Five personnel changes from last week’s away loss at Heidenheim ensured that the Fuggerstädter were able to commemorate their first home victory of the season. Two of Wagner’s new additions to the starting XI – Noahkai Banks and Mert Kömür – immediately combined for the opening goal inside of three minutes. Kömür would score the 2-0 in the 51st.

Wagner who had promised wholesale changes and an energetic team “eager to play football” at his pre-match press conference, had high words of praise for most all of his players in his post-match interview with DAZN. Fellhauer – who has had quite the impact as a multi-position player who exemplifies the team’s fighting spirit – drew special praise from Wagner after another special performance at a novel position.

“We’ll have to talk to our finance manager about [giving him a positional flexibility bonus],” Wagner said of the former Elversberg captain, who featured as a right-slanted midfielder this time. “In any case, it’s an incredible transfer. He’s also a role model for us in a way, because he accepts everything and is enthusiastic. [Fellhauer embodies] the FCA player I envision.“

“I took some risks with the starters,” Wagner said of Banks and Kömür “Fortunately, our ‘power pups’ can run. The fact that our two home-grown players justified their selection made it a successful afternoon for the team and club. There were a lot of great stories.”

“The sound of the full-time whistle felt really good,” Wagner remarked in general. “I like how we got into the game and were really nasty against the ball. Our previous issues were resolved today. I told the players not to worry too much and just enjoy themselves. I’m the one under pressure.

On the topic of what Wagner did after the full-time whistle, the embattled FCA head coach did make something of an odd gesture to the crowd once the result was confirmed. It began as something discernible enough: a thumb, index, middle finger raised to signify “three points” in the German fashion.

Wagner then included his pinky finger for no apparent reason.

Was there something behind it?

Probably not.

Wagner still wished to preserve the mystery.

“It definitely wasn’t anything bad,” Wagner said “People can talk and I like that sort of thing. It doesn’t bother me.”

GGFN | Peter Weis