Bulinews Player of the Season Awards: FC Augsburg's Player of the Season | OneFootball

Now into their fourteenth season in Germany’s domestic topflight, FC Augsburg have become a mainstay in the Bundesliga. There was a period of time where it looked as if Die Fuggerstadters were en route to pick up one of the coveted European football places until things unravelled for Jess Thorup’s men in the final four fixtures.

One position on the field which offered unwelcome uncertainty was the goalkeeper berth until Finn Dahmen made it his own. While an early season ligament injury followed by a late shoulder injury curtailed half of his season, the 27-year-old recovered in time for the Rückrunde which coincided with Augsburg’s upturn in form.

In his 19 appearances this campaign, the German maintained 9 clean sheets and only conceded 19 of Augsburg’s 51 total conceded goals. Furthermore, Dahmen boasts the league’s best save percentage of 79.3% on shots faced. He even received praise from German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann who could yet call upon his services down the line.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCE:

The highlight of Finn Dahmen’s campaign came in the 0-0 draw with Mainz back on Matchday 21. Augsburg travelled to take on Bo Henriksen’s high-flying side as Dahmen was immediately forced into a fine save on 6 minutes. Nelson Weiper fed Paul Nebel whose shot seemed destined for the left corner until Dahmen clawed it to safety.

The 27-year-old had to be alert all the way through the half as he reacted smartly to grasp Weiper’s header at the near post on 38 minutes. Mainz’s young striker couldn’t get the better of Dahmen minutes later while the Augsburg shot-stopper kept his nerve to grasp a late Burkardt chance to take a point back to Bavaria.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

It seems almost cruel that Alexis Claude-Maurice didn’t pick up this award on his first season in Augsburg colours. Regardless, the French midfielder picked up two votes for his share of 9 goals and 2 assists in 28 games – of which three came in a wonderful hat-trick against Gladbach. Chrislain Matsima also received a vote for his athletic and dogged style of defending in Augsburg’s back-three.