FC Augsburg’s coach, Jess Thorup, has stirred up speculation among fans by consistently favoring Maximilian Bauer over German-born Ghanaian defender Patric Pfeiffer in the starting eleven this season.
Despite Pfeiffer’s obvious talent that could potentially strengthen the team’s performance in the Bundesliga, Thorup has opted for Bauer, particularly in the absence of Kevin Mbabu. The decision has left many fans questioning the rationale behind this choice.
Thorup has defended his decision by pointing out Bauer’s impressive performance, especially in a recent match against Freiburg where he stepped in for the suspended defensive leader, Gouweleeuw. He believes that Bauer has proven himself to be a reliable option at the back.
However, Pfeiffer’s recent thigh injury has hindered his progress in terms of match fitness and rhythm, potentially affecting his chances of reclaiming a spot in the starting lineup.
Despite this setback, Thorup recognizes Pfeiffer’s abilities and has not ruled out the possibility of changes in the defensive lineup in the future.
