Oh – After that nothing worked: The 1:5 in the first leg in their own stadium against SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Ouch took forever to recover from it.
In the first leg, Wiesbaden celebrated five times. Aue was down. © IMAGO/Frank Kruczynski
“It was a blow to the neck that hurt,” says Aues Maxi Thiel (30) in retrospect. He came from Hessen before the season, which made it all the more painful for him. The second leg is on Friday evening.
Why will this time be different? “Because we’re in a better position, because we have a completely different level of self-confidence. We’re in a better mood, much more organized, have a core, a structure. I’m very optimistic that we can get something,” said the 30-year-old. He is not surprised that his ex-club is in second place and is knocking on the door of the second division.
“Last year it was a motley squad – similar to the beginning of the season in Aue. Now the boys are well-rehearsed. So it’s not entirely by chance.”
Two wins, one draw! Aue gets his Erzgebirge stadium back
Nevertheless, something should go for Aue on Friday. Like Wiesbaden, Ingolstadt, Freiburg and Mannheim were also candidates for promotion, Aue was able to counter and deliver points.
“We now have a plan on how we can win games. That’s why we’re going there,” he says promisingly. As of now, Thiel will first sit on the bench on Friday evening. In the first half of the season he was one of the few who could set highlights as an attacking midfielder.
Maximilian Thiel (right) played for Wiesbaden last season. Here in a duel against Ulrich Taffertshofer – now both Auer. © IMAGO/Frank Heinen
Under Pavel Dotchev (57), he has been substituted on four times in five games since the beginning of the year – always in the final stages. Logically, that bothers him, but he doesn’t react in a snide manner.
“That’s normal football business. There were many reasons to change something in the second half of the season. The coach comes and has his plans. It’s work, work and work again,” said Thiel.
And the 30-year-old adds: “We all have one goal and that is staying up. I try to perform when I’m needed. I’m always there. Pavel knows that too, we have a good relationship. I know that I can still be important for the team.”
After victory in Wiesbaden: Aue trainer Dotchev is happy to spend
The 1:5 in the first leg was his second appearance for Aue, he was substituted on. Maxi Thiel scored the consolation goal – his only goal for Aue so far. Maybe his second one at the old place of work will now be added. That would not only make him and Dotchev happy.
