Schlotterbeck: “We want to round out the perfect week”

Reaction from the win over Schalke 04

FC Augsburg are into the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal for the first time since 2019. Goals from Alexis Claude-Maurice, Arne Maier and Samuel Essende earned the Fuggerstädter a 3-0 win. Here’s all the reaction after the game.

Keven Schlotterbeck: “We played well, even really well in the first half. In the second, Schalke improved and pushed us back. Our main aim was to get through to the next round and we’ve managed that. We could even have wrapped up the game earlier, but we weren’t clinical enough on the counter. We still won 3-0 though. We want to keep this going and round out the perfect week against Wolfsburg.”

Finn Dahmen: “I’m very happy. It was fun out there today. We played well in the first half and controlled the game. In the second, we weren’t as aggressive and Schalke improved, although they didn’t create any big chances. The second goal wrapped up the game. It was great to keep a clean sheet and get through to the next round.”

Elvis Rexhbecaj: “We’re through and can be pleased about that. The first half was really good. We didn’t let Schalke get a foothold in the game. After the break, you could tell that the match against Dortmund had taken a lot out of us. Even though we allowed Schalke more into the game, we still did well until the end and deserved to win.”

Arne Maier: “The number one aim was obviously to get through to the next round and we’ve managed that. We were well on top in the first half, but Schalke threw everything at it after the break. The second goal wrapped up the game though.”

Jess Thorup: “I was very pleased with the first half. We controlled the game well, took the lead and looked to keep going and add a second and third to wrap up the win as soon as possible. In the second period, we started okay, but the last 30 or 35 minutes weren’t what I was hoping for. We weren’t good enough in possession and weren’t winning the individual battles or second balls. The opponent suddenly came back into the game, even if there weren’t any clearcut chances. You never know what could happen in a Pokal game though. In the end, we deserved to win 3-0. Our aim was to book our place in the next round, and I’m delighted that we’ve achieved that.”

Kees van Wonderen: “I think 3-0 was a bit harsh. After a few unsuccessful league outings, we managed to play well against a Bundesliga side who are strong at home and have beaten Dortmund. Augsburg found it hard to play against Schalke for long periods. I’d like to congratulate FC Augsburg on the 3-0 win though. For us, it was the first step towards where we want to be: giving everything on the pitch and working as a team to make life difficult for a Bundesliga side.”