Rafal Gikiewicz was controversial at FC Augsburg. In the past few weeks, however, the keeper has turned up the heat. Gikiewicz causes a stir in Bremen with provocations. Fans are said to have insulted him.
Bremen (dpa / lby) - Rafal Gikiewicz also took on the Bremen fans in the adrenaline rush against Werder and almost triggered a space storm. Shortly before, the goalkeeper had saved a penalty and was thus promoted to the hero of FC Augsburg.
"Another outstanding game from Rafal, just like in the past few weeks," enthused coach Enrico Maaßen after the 1-0 with the climax of the saved penalty in injury time. "The way he takes the penalty - amazing. As in Leverkusen, he played a big part in the win," added manager Stefan Reuter.
Gikiewicz was already in top form in the first Bundesliga threesome this season against Bayer Leverkusen. It was a time when U21 European champion Finn Dahmen from FSV Mainz 05 was traded as the new goalkeeper at FC Augsburg.
The transfer failed. The speculation about a new competitor seems to have spurred on Gikiewicz, who had often been changeable before. Because the 34-year-old Pole is increasingly becoming a guarantor of points.
He parried a hand penalty from Marvin Ducksch (90.4) on Friday evening and secured three enormously important away counters after Ermedin Demirovic's goal (63.minute). Gikiewicz also let coach Maassen, who had previously been criticized, breathe a sigh of relief before the derby against FC Bayern next weekend. "We are convinced of him and also of the team," emphasized Reuter.
Gikiewicz caused a stir with a provocative gesture towards the Bremen fans after his penalty coup. Some supporters jumped from the stands and were just behind the Augsburger Tor for a short time. "The fans insulted me the whole second half and didn't show any respect," said the keeper. "You cannot insult my family or me personally, I cannot accept that and that is my answer."
Gikiewicz first held an index finger to his lips as a sign of silence in the direction of the Bremen fans, then he put his index finger behind his ear and seemed to want to encourage the Werder spectators to turn up the volume. "Especially when you win a game like this with a little bit of luck, you should stay calm and not provoke the opponent under any circumstances," said Reuter, who was happy about his "outstanding goalkeeper".
Gikiewicz tried to damage the penalty spot with small kicks right before the Ducksch penalty. "For all the rivalry, it should still be fair and respectful," said Clemens Fritz, Werder's head of professional football. "Something like that isn't supposed to be there. If someone kicks around on the penalty spot, it's not like nobody notices. He's doing himself the least favors. He should think about it."
For Bremen's striker Niclas Füllkrug, it all "had nothing to do with football anymore". The 29-year-old complained: "All eleven Augsburgers stood by the referee for every decision. Of course, that was their goal today, to bring in emotions here, so that everything might get a bit restless here. It's a shame."
For Gikiewicz, the criticism of Werder's top scorer was absurd. "I think Füllkrug just has to accept the defeat. They had eight points before the game and probably thought Augsburg would come and win easily 4-0. That's disrespectful," said the goalkeeper. "From my point of view we were clearly the better team and deserved to win. Now they can talk nonstop, I'm not interested in that."
