Augsburg beats Gladbach 1-0 on a set piece. Not much time on the ball for Usami, but an excellent defensive performance on the left side. He even forced off Kramer and Raffael with injuries!
Well this is encouraging. Takashi #Usami is giving his first interview in German today - wunderbar! 👏💪 #FCAinMarbella pic.twitter.com/Fugxdo8yuJ— FC Augsburg (@FCA_World) January 8, 2017
He answers some light questions for the local papers. http://m.augsburger-allgemeine.de/s...ll-jetzt-vieles-besser-machen-id40170947.html
Subbed off as soon as his opponents were starting to bully him in midfield. But it's something understandable, Usami is not really a mid-winger and lacks match fitness.
Playing way out in right midfield with 2 forwards takes him too far away from goal to be effective in the attack. But it's good that the coach trusts him to fulfill the tactical role.
Yes, if he lacks match fitness. First half was fine imo, just in the second was tired and struggled in midfield.
http://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de...nzendes-Debuet-von-Framberger-id40341772.html "Takashi Usami: Spielte eher unauffällig, wusste aber in der Mehrheit der Zweikämpfe zu überzeugen. Seine Beiträge zu einem kontrollierten Spielaufbau hielten sich eher in Grenzen. Aber dafür schaffte es Usami, relativ ballsicher zu agieren. Er kam selbst in Bedrängnis mit erstaunlich wenig Fehlpässen aus. Note: 3,5" Was rather invisible but handled most duels well. His contributions to the build ups were limited. On the other hand he was convicing on the ball. Even under pressure he managed to make stunningly few misplaced passes. Rating: Between satisfying and sufficient (German school notes go from 1 "Very good" to 6 "Poor").
Was subbed in at 90 min in an already sure loss against Mainz to collect some garbage minutes (extra time was 7 min, must be some record for a Buli match).
A season to forget. In numbers: In squad for 24 (out of 36 possible) matches, started 10, subbed in 12 times, played 874 minutes. Everything else at zero.
The chances of that happening are between 0 and 0,1%. The world cup is next. He will either fight for his place, find another team of the same level, or go back in Japan
BTW Usami is training with the national team as a standby member in case Inui can't shake his ankle knock suffered against Barca. In his postseason meeting, Usami was told by the Augsburg staff that they want him to play as a #10 next season. That would seem to preclude an exit.
I don't even know what to think about him. Maybe he has the skills to succeed, but not the right attitude.