From reserves to match winners – thanks to Daniel Caligiuri, FC Augsburg finally had a reason to celebrate on the way back from an away game. The full-back, who had been banished to the substitutes’ bench for many weeks, scored in the 50th minute to make it 1-0 (0-0) at Arminia Bielefeld for his team’s second win of the season abroad and thus fueled new hopes for everyone involved to stay in the class in the Bundesliga.
Coach Markus Weinzierl was full of praise: “Daniel didn’t play a few games, but he reacted great, integrated himself and waited for his chance. He rewarded himself with the goal.”
After five games without a single minute of action, Caligiuri – helped by a switch to a three-man defense – had slipped back into the starting line-up in a remarkable 1-1 draw against second-placed Dortmund a week earlier.
But at the latest after his goal in the key game at Arminia Bielefeld, the 34-year-old veteran should have risen significantly in Weinzierl’s favor again. Although the former Schalke player bit back demands for a regular place, he recalled his qualities between the lines: “I have years of experience on the right track.”
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The fact that the team’s only shot at the opposing goal in the second half brought victory was a reward for a significant improvement in performance after the break. With the victory at the table neighbors from East Westphalia, who are now one point worse, the minimalists from Augsburg maintained their reputation as survivors.
The relegation place 16 is still threateningly close, but according to Rafal Gikiewicz, the recent upward trend gives courage for the final sprint, “The pressure is there. But we have experience with such situations. 26 points, now a game against Mainz at home. We have everything in our own hands,” said the goalkeeper, referring to the past two seasons in which the team finished 15th and 13th.
However, Augsburg will have to do without Felix Uduokhai in the duel with Mainz – possibly even longer. After a running duel, the defender twisted his ankle and limped off (33′). “It looks like a ligament injury. The ankle immediately grew thick. Let’s see how much is broken,” commented Weinzierl. (dpa)
