Augsburg goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz feels incited by provocations from opposing fans.
“I need the negative mood, the whistle and the atmosphere of the stadium. The mood, negative or positive, just gives me good energy and power,” said the Bundesliga soccer team’s emotional goalkeeper to the TV channel “Sky”.
Gikiewicz, who saved the FCA victories against Leverkusen, Bayern and Schalke this season with strong saves over time, is known for his bold demeanor on the pitch. Against Bremen he tangled with the fans after a saved penalty, at Schalke the Pole clashed with striker Simon Terodde.
“After the penalty in the last second in Bremen, I just wanted to hear a little more whistles. Of course it was a bit of a show. But I didn’t insult anyone personally and I’m just like that,” explained the 34-year-old in retrospect. Gikiewicz needs atmosphere in the stadium. “I also felt like I’m not really Gikiewicz last year when Covid came and we played without fans.”
Finally, the keeper stopped a bloodshot thigh. In the draw against Wolfsburg, Tomas Koubek replaced Augsburg’s number one in goal. It was still unclear on Friday whether Gikiewicz would be back between the posts in Cologne on Sunday (3:30 p.m.).