FC Augsburg missed out on causing an upset. Markus Weinzierl’s team have been knocked out of the Europa League following a 1-0 loss to Liverpool. However, Weinzierl is proud of his side. In an interview with DFB.de, Augsburg’s coach has spoken about his team’s performance, league action and the man opposite him in the dugout against Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp.
Question: Mr Weinzierl, what did you think about the send-off from the fans following elimination from the Europa League?
Markus Weinzierl: Yes, it was amazing, and deserving of the performance. Everyone appreciated the performance, and the fans justifiably celebrated the team. Of course that does us good.
Question: How much of a shame is it to go out following a penalty?
Weinzierl: It is extremely painful to concede a penalty so early. But the team continued to play well and had belief until the end. We had chances in the closing minutes and we could have scored a goal. We were very close, and you probably need Lady Luck to get that fairy-tale ending. Unfortunately we did not have that and we were just lacking that finishing touch. It was possible to qualify, but to do that we had to score a goal, which we did not manage.
Question: Will it be possible to top this experience against Liverpool in the club’s history?
Weinzierl: It will be difficult. I believe that it was an absolute highlight, also in the way the team performed. The mood, having the fans behind us, it will be difficult to top that in the next few years.
Question: What can FCA take from its first season in Europe?
Weinzierl: A great deal of pride. The team has turned heads in Europe, including in Liverpool. To perform like this against Liverpool, in two matches, and to keep it exciting until the final second, that is a huge compliment to the club. We have shown that we can stand against a top European team. We were the better side in Augsburg, and it was also gripping in Liverpool. You cannot take it for granted to play like we did in Liverpool, especially after the early setback with the penalty. We will take a lot of confidence from this and it will put wind in our sails for the next few weeks.
Question: In a fashion, was that the biggest defeat you have had with FCA?
Weinzierl: It was definitely my biggest match. It was the high point of a sensational development over recent years. We have worked hard for this and it has steadily gone upwards. It hurts to have lost, but it has been an amazing story.
Question: Do you see a danger that the daily grind of the league could lead to a relegation battle now that you’re no longer on the big stage?
Weinzierl: It was clear to us that we still have hard work ahead of us in the Bundesliga. Of course we are disappointed that we couldn’t progress, but if I have to find something positive from the defeat, it’s that we can now concentrate just on the Bundesliga. That is the most important competition, and there are difficult games ahead of us.
Question: How was is for you standing next to Jürgen Klopp in a technical area?
Weinzierl: I am glad that I am such a calm coach. He can certainly get emotional, and that definitely takes some getting used to.
Question: And how was it for you to be at the legendary Anfield?
Weinzierl: The aura here has cult status, but our fans did not need to hide. They really fit into it there.
Question: How was it after the game for you when you went up to the travelling fans on your own and they applauded you?
Weinzierl: I only went out there to tell the fans that the team was coming in a moment and that they shouldn’t leave. But, of course, I had goosebumps and it was a really nice moment.
Question: Can the way the fans cheered for you give the team extra strength ahead of the game on Sunday against Mönchengladbach and then the midweek round of fixtures?
Weinzierl: The match, the fans and the emotions were all positives. We will now work towards the game on Sunday, and I hope that we can take all of these feelings into the Bundesliga.
Question: When will you return to European football?
Weinzierl: We were all realistic in how we saw the fifth-place finish last season, as well as what the group stage in the Europa League meant to us. But then to get such a great draw was amazing. You cannot plan for something like this, and it is a sensational story for such a small club. Again, it will be difficult to top this.
[mmc/clm]
FC Augsburg missed out on causing an upset. Markus Weinzierl’s team have been knocked out of the Europa League following a 1-0 loss to Liverpool. However, Weinzierl is proud of his side. In an interview with DFB.de, Augsburg’s coach has spoken about his team’s performance, league action and the man opposite him in the dugout against Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp.
Question: Mr Weinzierl, what did you think about the send-off from the fans following elimination from the Europa League?
Markus Weinzierl: Yes, it was amazing, and deserving of the performance. Everyone appreciated the performance, and the fans justifiably celebrated the team. Of course that does us good.
Question: How much of a shame is it to go out following a penalty?
Weinzierl: It is extremely painful to concede a penalty so early. But the team continued to play well and had belief until the end. We had chances in the closing minutes and we could have scored a goal. We were very close, and you probably need Lady Luck to get that fairy-tale ending. Unfortunately we did not have that and we were just lacking that finishing touch. It was possible to qualify, but to do that we had to score a goal, which we did not manage.
Question: Will it be possible to top this experience against Liverpool in the club’s history?
Weinzierl: It will be difficult. I believe that it was an absolute highlight, also in the way the team performed. The mood, having the fans behind us, it will be difficult to top that in the next few years.
Question: What can FCA take from its first season in Europe?
Weinzierl: A great deal of pride. The team has turned heads in Europe, including in Liverpool. To perform like this against Liverpool, in two matches, and to keep it exciting until the final second, that is a huge compliment to the club. We have shown that we can stand against a top European team. We were the better side in Augsburg, and it was also gripping in Liverpool. You cannot take it for granted to play like we did in Liverpool, especially after the early setback with the penalty. We will take a lot of confidence from this and it will put wind in our sails for the next few weeks.
Question: In a fashion, was that the biggest defeat you have had with FCA?
Weinzierl: It was definitely my biggest match. It was the high point of a sensational development over recent years. We have worked hard for this and it has steadily gone upwards. It hurts to have lost, but it has been an amazing story.
Question: Do you see a danger that the daily grind of the league could lead to a relegation battle now that you’re no longer on the big stage?
Weinzierl: It was clear to us that we still have hard work ahead of us in the Bundesliga. Of course we are disappointed that we couldn’t progress, but if I have to find something positive from the defeat, it’s that we can now concentrate just on the Bundesliga. That is the most important competition, and there are difficult games ahead of us.
Question: How was is for you standing next to Jürgen Klopp in a technical area?
Weinzierl: I am glad that I am such a calm coach. He can certainly get emotional, and that definitely takes some getting used to.
Question: And how was it for you to be at the legendary Anfield?
Weinzierl: The aura here has cult status, but our fans did not need to hide. They really fit into it there.
Question: How was it after the game for you when you went up to the travelling fans on your own and they applauded you?
Weinzierl: I only went out there to tell the fans that the team was coming in a moment and that they shouldn’t leave. But, of course, I had goosebumps and it was a really nice moment.
Question: Can the way the fans cheered for you give the team extra strength ahead of the game on Sunday against Mönchengladbach and then the midweek round of fixtures?
Weinzierl: The match, the fans and the emotions were all positives. We will now work towards the game on Sunday, and I hope that we can take all of these feelings into the Bundesliga.
Question: When will you return to European football?
Weinzierl: We were all realistic in how we saw the fifth-place finish last season, as well as what the group stage in the Europa League meant to us. But then to get such a great draw was amazing. You cannot plan for something like this, and it is a sensational story for such a small club. Again, it will be difficult to top this.
