Hennes Behrens has quickly made Augsburg’s left flank his own after a €3.5 million summer move.
The sporting fact
The 21-year-old left-back has been one of Augsburg’s early-season gains. He arrived from Hoffenheim after a loan spell at Heidenheim in the second half of last season, where he collected regular Bundesliga minutes.
Behrens has brought pace and intent down the left side. Against Bayer Leverkusen, he created Michael Gregoritsch’s equaliser in a 2-2 draw with a precise right-footed pass through the defensive line. Manuel Baum highlighted the delivery and said it could hardly have been played better.
The Augsburg coach also noted Behrens’ workload and suggested that national-team coach Jürgen Klopp may soon take notice during the international break.
Sporting director Benni Weber said Behrens improves as matches go on. There are still details to sharpen. His passing accuracy against Leverkusen was 68 per cent. Behrens himself identified his work on the ball as an area for improvement.
He was exposed in Augsburg’s 4-1 win in Frankfurt, losing a headed duel to Jonathan Burkardt before the goal conceded. Overall, however, he has handled the defensive side well and has been bold going forward. He nearly scored after 42 seconds against Leverkusen.
His start has also moved Dimitrios Giannoulis out of the conversation. The Greek left-sided player had been a dependable Augsburg regular for two years before joining PAOK. Augsburg had debated internally whether Behrens should arrive as the first choice or as competition for another signing. The opening weeks have settled that question.
Behrens has played 20 Bundesliga matches so far. A quick Germany call-up would still be difficult, with Nathaniel Brown, David Raum and Maximilian Mittelstädt among the options at left-back. Klopp’s first home match in charge of Germany will be staged in Augsburg, against Greece.
Augsburg travel to Werder Bremen on Saturday afternoon, looking to extend their strong opening with Behrens again central to the plan.
SEO title: Hennes Behrens establishes himself at Augsburg
SEO description: Augsburg left-back Hennes Behrens has impressed after his €3.5 million move, with Manuel Baum and Benni Weber praising his early Bundesliga form.
