He got off to a cold start at FC Augsburg, then had to watch involuntarily, and overall helped to stabilize the defense: Cedric Zesiger feels that he has settled in well.
It was debatable whether FC Augsburg needed a new defender in the winter break the most. After the first few impressions, it can be admitted that the loan of Cedric Zesiger from VfL Wolfsburg, including an option to buy, has not hurt. The new hierarchy in defense has led to new stability, and the Swiss is one reason for this.
The four-time international and 2024 European Championship participant has played three times (without being used) and three times Augsburg have kept a clean sheet. Jess Thorup threw him in at the deep end at the Alte Försterei just one day after the transfer, with Augsburg winning 2-0 there. After the second, immediately following game, a 2-0 win in Bremen, there was a short break.
Zesiger had brought a debt of four yellow cards with him from Wolfsburg, and he saw the fifth in Bremen. Because he was also injured, he was also missing at St. Pauli and in the cup game at VfB Stuttgart, only returning last Saturday in the 0-0 in Mainz – because of Dimitrios Giannoulis’ suspension in the unfamiliar position of left back.
Stronger competition, new hierarchy in defense
“I’m used to playing left defender, I’ve done it quite a few times. It was a bit different this time,” said Zesiger, adding: “I’m there to help, no matter what position I play in. The goal was to stabilize our defense. If you keep a clean sheet, you always get points.” The goal was achieved in the goalless draw in Mainz, so: “We can build on this and take it into the next few weeks.”
After Zesiger no longer featured for Ralph Hasenhüttl’s Wolfsburg side and was only substituted once after matchday five, things are going better for him in Augsburg: “A great start, I was made to feel welcome straight away and I’m happy here. I’m enjoying football again, that’s the main thing,” he says, describing his new impressions. ‘I came here to get minutes on the pitch, and I’ve managed that quite well in the first few weeks. And in the end, I don’t care where I play.’ By that, he doesn’t mean the club, but the position.
In any case, competition is good for business in the FCA defense. Zesiger arrived, and back-up Maximilian Bauer left, at least temporarily, for Kaiserslautern. An upgrade in the squad. With Zesiger, Chrislain Matsima, Jeff Gouweleeuw and Keven Schlotterbeck, there are normally four players fighting for places in the back three with aspirations of being in the starting XI. The 18-year-old Noahkai Banks has also proven to be a valuable alternative. This is good for FCA’s newfound stability.
