'Topping list very special' - Augsburg's Robin Fellhauer on scoring the fastest Bundesliga goal of all time
Fresh from scoring the fastest goal in Bundesliga history after just eight seconds against Bayern Munich on Matchday 5, Augsburg’s Robin Fellhauer sat down to reflect on his remarkable feat.
Bundesliga: When did you realise that you made Bundesliga history with your goal in the draw against Bayern?
Fellhauer: “The first time it was said to me was during the injury break when I quickly went to the bench to have a drink. Michael Gregoritsch came up to me and congratulated me, saying that the next drink was on me.
"He said that they had just announced that I had scored the quickest goal in Bundesliga history. The game then carried on, but I realised what I had achieved after the game with all of the interviews.”
Bundesliga: Has it fully sunk in now?
Fellhauer: "I think it has sunk in now. You couldn’t really miss it on social media, and it was unbelievable how many messages I received and how often it was played back. I am so happy that I was able to do it."
Bundesliga: Could you run us through the 8.4 seconds between kick-off and your goal?
Fellhauer: “We were told to put pressure on the goalkeeper because they often play a long ball from kick-off, and we wanted to stop that pass being played accurately. I’m not sure if it was planned that three of us would press him, which led him to pulling the ball over to my side. That was lucky for me, I gambled a little on going right, and I was fortunate that the ball deflected straight to me.
"I then took a quick look to see if I had time or whether I had to shoot straight away. I was pleased that I had a little bit of time, so that I could play it safe and pass the ball into the goal. It was an unbelievable feeling. I wasn’t thinking about the record in that moment, I was just thinking about how it was a great start for the team in such a special game against a side like Bayern.”
Watch: Fellhauer scores the fastest goal in Bundesliga history
Bundesliga: How special was the celebration for the goal?
Fellhauer: “I had the feeling that the fans were in the game from the start because this was a moment of ecstasy in the stadium. You got the impression that the fans were a bit louder than normal. There was so much joy in the eyes of my team-mates, and I felt that too."
Bundesliga: Did you know it was Kevin Volland and Karim Bellarabi who previously held the record?
Fellhauer: "Yes, the two lads sent me a video message after the game, so I knew whose record I had broken. It was nice to get the congratulations from both of them. They congratulated me on the goal and said I did well.
Bundesliga: Do you hope to hold the record for a long time?
Fellhauer: "You never know in football. It means a lot to me to be top of this list now though and to feel part of something bigger. I always dreamed as a child of playing in the Bundesliga, so being top of that list now is very special.”
Bundesliga: How did you feel after getting a draw against Bayern?
Fellhauer: “It was a very good result. Of course we would have loved to have won, but with the four offside goals and the pressure that Bayern put on, I think we were grateful to get it over the line in the end. We put in a real battling performance to win the point, and I can only praise the team for that."
Watch: Previous fastest goals
Bundesliga: Your goal against Bayern was your third goal of the season already, which is as many as you got in the whole of the last campaign. What has been your secret?
Fellhauer: "I am playing a bit more of an attacking role this season, which generally leads to more opportunities in front of goal. I could have scored one or two more goals, especially against Schalke where I missed from three yards out. The individual work I have done with the analysts and my private analyst has also helped a lot.”
Bundesliga: Next up is a return to your former club, Elversberg - how do you feel about that?
Fellhauer: "I am looking forward to playing there, this time for the away team. I played in front of the fans there for a long time, and it was a very nice time, so I am mostly just looking forward to seeing old teammates and friends who I met there."
Bundesliga: Augsburg have enjoyed a good start in general under Manuel Baum, sitting sixth after Matchday 5. What makes him such a successful coach?
Fellhauer: “He gives us a match plan which every player believes in, and I think you can see that every week. We are very solid at the back, and we are then able to drive in attack, which we are doing very efficiently at the moment.”
Bundesliga: Finally, is it an advantage that your father is a former professional footballer and now a coach, while your sister also coaches?
Fellhauer: "Well, I was always on a football pitch as a youngster, so it was no surprise that I was always thinking about football. My father gave me tips on what to do, and I also talk to my sister a lot because as a coach she probably has a bit more of an idea about football than I do.
"It helps a lot. She can give tips about how to defend better in a one-on-one situation or how to better position myself against an opposition player. She gives me detailed advice, which helps me in a game.”
