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Augsburg report card

Jonathan HardingMay 17, 2014

With maybe the most outstanding season aside from Bayern, Augsburg exceeded expectations to finish eighth. Halil Altintop scored the goals, Daniel Baier marshalled the middle, yet DW picked out two other standout stars.

https://p.dw.com/p/1C0jh
Altintop schreibt Bundesliga-Geschichte
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

Predicted to struggle with the infamous second season syndrome, Markus Weinzierl led Augsburg to the club's greatest Bundesliga campaign. An eighth-placed finished saw them miss out on a Europa League qualifying spot by a solitary point after Mainz's last-day victory denied Augsburg a continental berth.

Key player

The progression that Andre Hahn has made, and continues to make, is just remarkable. Rising from third division Kickers Offenbach to Bundesliga football and not only adapting, but excelling means he has to be Augsburg's stand out man. Twelve goals and nine assists were enough to secure a move to Gladbach next season, and to alert Germany coach Joachim Löw.

Andre Hahn
Hahn, 23, has had a breakout Bundesliga seasonImage: Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images

Surprise player

It's credit to this side for how well they've played this season that any number of players could have been given this award. Tobias Werner surprised in midfield and captain Paul Verhaegh rolled back the years to lead his side brilliantly, and earn a call up to the provisional Netherlands World Cup squad. In the end though, Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker takes it and not just because of his outstanding name. Under pressure from the Bundesliga's best attackers, the central defender regularly matched them. And at 29, it certainly wasn't expected.

Coach

Thomas Tuchel's abrupt departure at Mainz might well have secured Markus Weinzierl's position at the top of Germany's hotly tipped coaches' list. The man has made excellent decisions all season long, from his tactical set-up to his transfer selection, and made Augsburg a collective force. It won't be long before he is prized away.

Markus Weinzierl
Weinzierl may not be long in the Augsburg dugout after his success this seasonImage: Thorsten Wagner/Bongarts/Getty Images

Defining moment

Between late November and early March, Augsburg were almost unstoppable. Having lost 3-0 in Munich and on a run of four defeats in five, Augsburg hosted Hoffenheim knowing it was time to find some form. A 2-0 home win set them on their way to a 12-game run that included only one defeat. It was that form that kept them in the top half.

What's next?

Missing out on Europe was a good thing for the club, as it allows them to stabilize without having to deal with a clogged fixture list and new expectations. Just think how Freiburg and Frankfurt struggled to compete on three fronts this time around. Losing Hahn will be a problem and the club will turn to Weinzierl once again to keep the squad progressing. With the right signings, and of course holding onto their top tactician, Europe could be a realistic goal to set. However, considering the competitive nature of the Bundesliga midfield, Augsburg might even settle for establishing themselves in that pack, rather than backsliding towards the relegation fight.

Grade: A+

It can be nothing short of full marks and more. They excelled and exceeded expectations and deserve to be recognized as the surprise team of the Bundesliga season.