Enrico Maassen (38) welcomes the loan of Ricardo Pepi (19) to FC Groningen. “Ricardo wanted to keep his chance at the World Cup with more match practice. Then the opportunity opened up with Groningen. They have a German coach and play in a good league for young players. I think it’s a good step for him – especially because he said on his own initiative that he wanted to take this step.”said the FC Augsburg coach at the matchday press conference.
The signing of Mergim Berisha (24), who was loaned from Fenerbahce with an option to buy, was decisive for Pepi’s loan. Maassen explained: “If we hadn’t done anything more in the striker position, that would have been impossible. Then the transfer from Mergim worked out and I think that was good.”