Augsburg is enraged, lamenting that "Harry Kane would have netted the goal" instead.
Following a highly charged Bundesliga match against FSV Mainz 05 at home, FC Augsburg's disappointment mainly centered around the referee and video assistant. Particularly two incidents provoked strong emotions after their undeserved 2:3 (1:2) loss during the 4th Bundesliga matchday.
The FCA was put off by the revoked penalty in extra time due to a thorough video review, presumed to be a foul on defender Keven Schlotterbeck. FC Augsburg's sporting director Marinko Jurendic compared it to a penalty given to Bayern Munich's Harry Kane a week earlier in their 6:1 win against Holstein Kiel after VAR intervention.
"Are the VAR's eyes closed in Cologne?"
From Augsburg's perspective, referee Sören Storks did not commit a clear mistake, and the video assistant Pascal Müller was unnecessary in their opinion. The Mainz penalty call undermined the authority of the referees, according to Jurendic's complaint.
The second source of contention was the justifiable red card issued to Augsburg's goal scorer, Samuel Essende, in the 70th minute. Essende's retaliatory kick against Dominik Kohr was provoked by a forearm strike to Essende's head from Kohr. The foul was in retaliation to Kohr. "Are the VAR's eyes closed in Cologne?" questioned Jurendic.
Had Kohr also been shown a red card, the game would have continued with a one-man advantage for Augsburg in the final 20 minutes after the yellow-red card for Mainz player Nadiem Amiri before half-time. "He must have given Kohr a red card 100%," Thorup argued.
Thorup's harsh criticism of Essende
Thorup not only criticized the referee but also Essende, the red card recipient, in front of the team and in the press conference. "One should not behave above the team," said Thorup. Jurendic also referred to it as a "no-go" that greatly harmed the team. Whether the club will impose further punishment on Essende beyond suspension, is outside Thorup's control.
Mainz coach Bo Henriksen, on the other hand, joked after the game, but was not entirely satisfied. "We played a terrible game," said the Danish coach, joining in the collective Mainz self-criticism. "We didn't play well," reiterated goalkeeper Robin Zentner. And double goalscorer Jonathan Burkhardt admitted that they had effectively "asked for one more." Augsburg had 25 more shots than Mainz throughout the match.
Despite suffering a prolonged period of inferiority following Nadiem Amiri's yellow-red card (35.), Mainz managed to escape relatively unscathed. Henrickson expressed optimism, believing that his team had "put in a tremendous effort." In the end, he praised the team: "The guys are incredible, an unforgettable night."
FC Augsburg expressed frustration over the revoked penalty in their game against FSV Mainz 05, with sporting director Marinko Jurendic comparing it to a penalty given to Bayern Munich's Harry Kane in a previous match. Jurendic also questioned the decision to not issue a red card to Mainz's Dominik Kohr, who struck Augsburg's Samuel Essende's head before Essende retaliated with a kick, resulting in his own red card.
