August: new captain, new brand

Review of the year 2023

Another year is coming to an end: 365 days of both highs and lows, but above all a host of memorable moments for FC Augsburg. It’s time once more to reflect on the past twelve months. In part eight of FCA’s review of the year, we look back on August.

What does FC Augsburg stand for? Around 4,000 members of the FCA family spent the preceding months and years trying to answer this question, and from it created FC Augsburg’s new brand, based on guiding principles and intrinsic values: the 07-Werte. This new brand also included a new visual style, which was clearly based on the club colours and had a uniquely developed pattern with a distinctive design.

After the home and third kits had already been revealed at the end of July, the new away kit, which was first presented at the Augsburger Friedensfest on the anniversary of FC Augsburg’s founding, completed the collection of jerseys from our new supplier Mizuno.

A short trip to Italy and a new team council

After having already completed their dress rehearsal on home turf two weeks before the start of the competitive season, FC Augsburg travelled to Italy for the final part of their summer preparations. There, the Fuggerstädter faced US Salernitana (losing 2-1) and Italian champions SSC Napoli (losing 1-0).

Just before the start of the competitive season, Enrico Maaßen made a series of important squad changes for the future. Ermedin Demirović was appointed FC Augsburg captain for the 2023/24 season. Niklas Dorsch and Elvis Rexhbecaj were named second and third captains respectively. The team council was completed by Mads Pedersen along with new signings Sven Michel and goalkeeper Finn Dahmen.

FCA kicked off the new season at SpVgg Unterhaching in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. The Fuggerstädter endured a disastrous afternoon, suffering a 2-0 defeat and elimination at the first hurdle of the competition.

A spectacular start in the Bundesliga

On Matchday 1 at a sold-out WWK ARENA, FC Augsburg were involved in a crazy encounter against Borussia Mönchengladbach. With eight goals scored, four from each side, the spectators certainly got their money’s worth. FCA came back from twice going two goals down, equalising through Rexhbecaj, Bauer and Sven Michel, before going ahead for the first time through Ruben Vargas in the 76th minute. Gladbach though rescued a draw with an injury-time penalty.

A week later, FCA headed to Munich to face the record champions. In the Bavarian state capital, Maaßen’s side performed bravely, but in the end succumbed to a 3-1 defeat.

After four years, we said farewell to Noah Sarenren Bazee as the 27-year-old joined Arminia Bielefeld. Maurice Malone meanwhile signed for FC Basel.