Fresh start in spite of defeat

Felix Agu and new Werder head coach Daniel Thioune know each other well. The latter took over the reins at SV Werder Bremen midway through last week and made his debut in a Bundesliga dugout against Freiburg on Saturday. Meanwhile, the game served as something of a fresh start for the wide player, who missed 14 games as a result of an ankle injury. Agu celebrated his comeback after four months out during the 1-0 defeat.

Back in October, the 26-year-old tore his syndesmosis ligament during the team’s first home win of the season over St. Pauli after an opposition player had unfortunately landed on his ankle. An operation was required, as well as six weeks on crutches and a special boot. “That was really tough, most of all because it soon came to light that I would be out for longer than first anticipated”, reported the right-footer, looking back on his diagnosis. Furthermore, Agu is a player who has had to deal with myriad additional long-term injuries in the past. “However, I am happy now to be past it and to be able to return to the pitch and have fun.”

Agu was able to partake once again when he was brought on at 1-0 down in the 62nd minute for Julian Malatini. “It was nice, but I would have preferred to end the game having picked up more points”, he revealed following his first moments on a football field in months. “I will continue to try and give it my all in order to help us get out of this situation.” The specific situation in mind is the run of winless games that the team is currently on, which hopefully the energy provided by the new head coach will assist in getting out of. “Daniel is very good in his communication, is able to motivate a team well and simultaneously implement ideas effectively”, told the German-Nigerian, whose first time working under the guidance of Thioune it is not.

Agu was coached by Thioune in VfL Osnabrück’s U17 set-up before being handed his professional debut by him in the German third tier and achieving promotion to the second division together. “I make no bones about the fact that I have a very good connection with Daniel. He and Merlin Polzin made me the player that I am today. Therefore, I have good faith in him to help us out.” The first indications of that have been evident to the 26-year-old even during the head coach’s opening few days in charge: “There has been a lot of excitement in training, as well as chemistry on show. We have seen exactly that which you expect after a change of coach – that everyone is giving it their all and taking the chance to prove what they can do.”

Nevertheless, that was not enough to secure a win in Freiburg, and there was much disappointment within the team and among the travelling fans. “It is our responsibility to turn the tide and raise the fans’ spirits once again. I do not know how many hundreds of miles’ journey it is to Freiburg, but it is our job to repay that support by allowing the fans to experience moments of celebration again.” The past week of training had instilled particular hope in Agu for returning to more successful times. “We possess quality in this team – quality out on that pitch. We simply have to show that once again during matches”, explained the wide player. “Looking to my left and looking to my right in the dressing room, I have faith in my teammates and believe that we can do this.”