Felix Götze: “There’s a real family atmosphere at FCA”

The first few first team players at FC Augsburg reported to training on Thursday 28th June, as preparations begin for the new season. Amongst them were all of the summer’s new arrivals, as they donned FCA colours for the first time since moving to the club. Julian Schieber was one such new arrival, after he made the switch to Augsburg from Hertha BSC. The 29-year-old had previously played for four years in Berlin, but often suffered from knee problems. “You don’t want to hide anything as a new player. I’ve been very open with the doctors and the management about my knee. I haven’t missed a training session at Hertha since December and it hasn’t shown any negative reaction to the workload,” says Schieber. FC Augsburg have been interested in Schieber for a few years now and were able to convince the striker to join the club in their final talks with him. “The negotiations went really well. They showed me some clips from some of their games so that I could see how I would fit in as a player here. The communication with the coaching staff is good and that gives me a good feeling,” Schieber explains. “I want to find my form again at FCA and remain injury free for a good period of time. At 29, I’m one of the older members of the squad and I want to be an important part of the team, whether that’s as part of the starting eleven or from the bench,” he continues. From Munich to Augsburg At 20-years-old, Felix Götze has taken on a new direction in his career. “The perspective here is good. FCA had a lot of young players in their squad last season and I see that as a big chance for me. There aren’t many of us in training at the moment, but I already feel right at home. There’s a real family atmosphere here,” Götze says. Götze predominantly played for the second team at FC Bayern, but also got some game time at the Bundesliga level for the record champions. “I was able to train with the first team at Bayern, so I know what to expect from this level of football,” explains Götze. He looks to breakthrough and prove himself to the coaches at Augsburg. “I want to learn as much as I can on and off the pitch and give my all. If I get the chance to play, then I will utilise it to the best of my ability,” says Götze.