28th matchday
Augsburg (AP) – Markus Weinzierl tore his arms up after the “Big Point” in the relegation battle, young assistant Vincent Heilmann contritely clapped his players off. After a lightning goal, FC Augsburg has increased relegation worries at VfL Wolfsburg again.
Weinzierl’s team celebrated a “big point” in the relegation battle of the Bundesliga in a 3-0 (1-0) win over Lower Saxony for the second youngest interim coach in Bundesliga history.
VfL conceded their third defeat in a row without boss Florian Kohfeldt, who was infected with the corona virus. “All in all, it’s disappointing,” summed up Managing Director Jörg Schmadtke. “You have to show a lot more presence in the relegation battle.”
Augsburg are now two points behind Wolfsburg and can even overtake the “Wolves” in Wednesday’s catch-up game against FSV Mainz 05. The longed-for class whereabouts is getting closer. “It was a deserved victory,” said Weinzierl. “But it’s still tight and will probably be exciting until the end.”
Iago scores after just 49 seconds
After just 49 seconds, Iago, who celebrated his goal with a baby cheer, gave the Fuggerstadt team the lead in front of 23,143 spectators. Florian Niederlechner (63rd) after video evidence and Mads Pedersen (69th) made the deserved home win perfect. “I knew that I had shot myself in the face,” said Niederlechner with a laugh and spoke of a “perfect afternoon”.
Former coach Mark van Bommel didn’t leave much behind at Wolfsburg – but his assistant Heilmann was allowed to stay. And since head coach Kohfeldt was not yet able to test himself freely after a corona infection, the young Dutchman was only 25 years and 38 days as the responsible person on the sidelines. Only Bernd Stöber was younger in the Bundesliga at 1. FC Saarbrücken at the age of 24 in the 1976/77 season.
“He enjoys the greatest trust and great esteem from our side,” sports director Marcel Schäfer said about Heilmann on the DAZN streaming service before kick-off.
Ultra groups back at the stadium
It was a racy debut. For the first time since the beginning of the corona pandemic, ultra groups returned to the stadium in an organized manner when the arenas were fully occupied. And the Augsburg fans immediately burned down Bengalos. The fireworks could still be smelled when Iago put the home side ahead with a one-two with Pedersen from the left with his weaker right foot.
The Brazilian tucked the ball under the front of his jersey as he celebrated his baby and sent home greetings while sucking his thumb. It was the perfect medicine for manager Stefan Reuter, who arrived at the stadium on crutches after hip surgery.
Wolfburg on the ball – without success
Augsburg, who had changed five positions, were snappy. It took Wolfsburg a while to recover from the impact hit. Lukas Nmecha (23rd) dropped Reece Oxford and Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, only goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz was the last stop.
However, many mistakes then crept in on both sides, and the Wolfsburg team gained nothing from the increase in possession. VfL keeper Pavao Pervan saved from seven meters with a foot against US striker Ricardo Pepi (45 + 2). But Daniel Caligiuri (56th) missed the big chance to make it 2-0, who fired a template from the dangerous Iago into the stands.
But then Niederlechner, who hadn’t played the ball after a corner shot on goal, and Pedersen made everything clear for the more aggressive Augsburg.