Wagner: “Our plan came to fruition”
Post-match reaction to 3-1 win in Freiburg
First Team
23.08.2025, 19:55
FC Augsburg opened the 2025/26 Bundesliga season with a 3-1 win away at SC Freiburg. Read on for all the post-match reaction from both camps.
Jeffrey Gouweleeuw: “The first half was pretty crazy, to say the least. Luck was on our side when Freiburg had a goal ruled out for a close offside call. Instead, we were clinical in front of goal and scored three times from three shots, which feels great. Freiburg put us under pressure again in the second half. But, one of the things that defines us is our ability to keep our heads up and to continue pushing each other on, which is how we were able to see the game through.”
Robin Fellhauer: “I couldn’t have imagined a better Bundesliga debut for myself! The head coach had let me know at the start of the week already that I would be starting. My entire family were in the stands, which made it the perfect day. We put in a hard-fought performance on the pitch today and were rewarded for our clinical finishing. It was a very special game for me and a special win.”
Chrislain Matsima: “The head coach had a clear plan – we wanted to have a numerical advantage in midfield in order to create space in attack and to give ourselves more options in the midst of Freiburg’s press. That worked well, but every game is different. We need each and every player in our team, because we can only be successful together. I’m obviously very happy to have scored. We’ve worked a lot on set pieces and I knew exactly where to go when Mert is taking a corner. I hope that I’ll be able to add a few more goals!”
Sandro Wagner: “We’re pleased to have started the season with three points after seven weeks of pre-season training, and to do so against a top team who were amongst the best sides in the Bundesliga last season. It’s great that our game plan came to fruition, and the first half was particularly good from us. We took a close look at what to expect against Freiburg. At FCA, we have to be flexible with our tactics. I’m very grateful to have been able to take over a well-functioning squad from Jess Thorup. We want to change our style of play, which the team is open to. Next week will be a completely different game against Bayern and we’ll come up with a fitting plan for it.”
Julian Schuster: “Today, we saw the brutal side of football. I can’t blame the team for how they performed in the first half, either in defence or on offence. We had enough chances to take the lead, and then scored a goal that was just offside. At the same time, we need to be self-critical because we conceded far too easily. In the Bundesliga, sometimes three shots are all you need to score three times. We tried everything we could in order to find our way back into the game in the second half. The positive thing is that we didn’t give up any more chances or goals then. There were several things that were satisfactory today, but others which we need to correct and improve.”
