Rafal Gikiewicz is out against Cologne. The Pole wants to remain the number 1 in the Augsburger Tor for the next few years. He sends a tough announcement to a supposed competitor.
Augsburg (dpa / lby) - FCA goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz has recorded his sporting ambitions on notes on the fridge. A new goal could soon be added to goals such as "having fun" or "clean sheets": "extend the contract and remain number 1." Before the Bundesliga game at 1. FC Köln on Sunday (3.30 p.m.), in which he will be replaced by Tomas Koubek again due to a thigh injury, the Pole has rekindled the fight for the lead position in the Augsburg goal and made a declaration of war in the direction of an alleged competitors sent.
Since moving from Union Berlin in the summer of 2020, Gikiewicz has been number 1 in goal. The goalkeeper, who was often criticized for his provocative manner, played a key role in Augsburg’s record start of this Bundesliga season with 13 points from 9 games. The victories against Bremen, Leverkusen and FC Bayern are mainly due to him.
It could be so nice if it weren't for the thick thighs and this smoldering debate about the future. The contract expires in the summer. Gikiewicz wants clarity as soon as possible. "I hope so," answered the keeper in the Sky interview when asked if he would still be in the Augsburg goal four years from now. He “doesn’t want to wait until April or May” with a decision from the FCA management.
Coach Enrico Maaßen gave his 34-year-old goalkeeper hopes of a long-term stay on Friday: "He produces outstanding performances and when a keeper performs so excellently, you want to keep him in your goal for a long time. And that's how it is with us", clarified the 38-year-old football teacher.
But Gikiewicz is pushing. Finally, he also gets that Augsburg should still be interested in Mainz keeper Finn Dahmen (24). "If he comes in summer or winter then I wish him all the best and good luck. But really, until the last day I'm here he has to sit on the bench. And I don't think it's a good idea to come here," Gikiewicz said combatively.
And then there is Tomas Koubek (30), who impressed against Wolfsburg in his first Bundesliga appearance in more than two years and can continue to promote himself in Cologne. Could the Czech now become a long-term solution in Augsburg? Gikiewicz is not afraid of a possible power struggle. "Football is a duel sport. Every day I try to be better than yesterday's Gikiewicz, not Dahmen or Koubek."
Even if the Pole is already 34 years old, there are many indications that the contract will be extended. The performance is right - and his current working paper contains a clause. According to media reports, the contract is automatically extended if the goalkeeper plays a certain number of games. The defined mark should be in the range of around 20 lots. That shouldn't be a problem as long as Gikiewicz remains injury-free. For the time being, however, only the spectator role remains for him.
