FC Augsburg

Thorup made two changes to his side from the 1-1 draw against TSG Hoffenheim. Fredrik Jensen was ruled out with illness and replaced by Arne Engels. The other alteration saw Thorup recall Iago to the starting XI, meaning Ruben Vargas started on the bench after a busy international break for the Swiss winger.

Niklas Dorsch: “It was a chaotic game, but that’s effectively what the coach told us it would be. We controlled possession a lot in the first half and deserved to take the lead. However, unlike in recent weeks, we didn’t start the second half well, which we’ll need to analyse. Nevertheless, we kept them at bay for a long time and we’ve become a team known for being tough to play against. We want to keep proving that we are in our upcoming matches.”

No one was sat with their feet up at the WWK ARENA during the international break. In fact, quite the opposite: head coach Jess Thorup used the time off to analyse the past few league games. “We needed this week to improve on every aspect of our game,” explained the 53-year-old. Since joining the club, Thorup has overseen a clear improvement in the team’s performance both in and out of possession, as well as in their challenge success rate. Nevertheless, the head coach is not willing to rest on his laurels following the recent wins. “There are many things that we can improve on. Our desire to win always has to be present,” the Dane emphasised. One major target still remains, which is to come away with a clean sheet for the first time this season.”

Only Arne Maier and Masaya Okugawa will be absent from the squad due to prolonged injury spells. A serious injury was ruled out during the week for the Japanese midfielder, who had to be brought off around 20 minutes into the 5-2 friendly win over SSV Jahn Regensburg. “For Arne, it will take another couple of weeks, but he’s already got his boots on and is back on the training pitch,” shared Thorup.

Dion Beljo, who was added to the Croatia squad on Sunday and did not make an appearance in the game, celebrated qualification for the EUROs with his compatriots, following a narrow 1-0 victory over Armenia. With the victory, the 2018 World Cup runners-up finished second in Group D behind Turkey and booked their place at the upcoming EUROs in Germany. 

The 25-year-old played a key role in helping his country qualify, having put his side ahead in their 1-1 draw with Kosovo, as well as in their 1-1 draw against Israel three days prior. The two points earned from these matches are enough to ensure that Switzerland will finish in the top two in Group I, with one match left to play against group leader Romania.

FCA head coach Jess Thorup had to do without six international in total for the friendly against Regensburg, which simultaneously meant that four players from the U23 were in the squad.

FCA to play friendly against Regensburg Friendly during the international break FC Augsburg will use the...

Thorup was able to call upon Felix Uduokhai at the back once again, after the centre-back returned from serving a red-card suspension. He also went with Ruben Vargas also on the left wing. 

Hoffenheim came to the WWK-Arena having won all of their previous away games this season so far. Head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side started brightly and didn’t need long to record their first chance on goal through Finn Ole Becker. On the other end, Vargas just missed the target with a header following a cross from Fredrik Jensen (12′), before being called offside on a counterattack shortly after (13′). 

Jensen then nearly beat goalkeeper Oliver Baumann with a cross that sailed towards goal (21′), but it was the visitors who would go on to strike first. Wout Weghorst was able to get on the end of a cross from Marius Bülter and head in the opener from close range (23′). Just two minutes later, referee Dr. Felix Brych pointed to the spot after TSG defender Kevin Akpoguma was judged to have handled the ball inside the box. He then reversed his decision after VAR confirmed that the ball had actually come off the defender’s chest (26′). This would remain the last noteworthy moment from the first half, as FCA headed into the break trailing 1-0. 

Ermedin Demirović: “We’re not totally pleased today. In the first half, we didn’t find moments to press, and we weren’t as up for it as we have been recently. The fact that we came back yet again speaks to the character of the team. At the end of the day, we still had our chances, and we should have utilised them smarter and more calmly. Still, big respect to the team.”

Both the away match against SV Werder Bremen (9th December, 15:30 CET) and the home clash against Borussia Dortmund (16th December, 15:30 CET) will take place on a Saturday afternoon. In the final fixture before the winter break, the boys will travel to VfB Stuttgart on Wednesday, 20th December at 20:30 CET.

FCA will take on current Bundesliga leaders Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the final game of the first half of the season (MD17) on Saturday, 13th January 2024 at 15:30 CET. Jess Thorup’s side will then face Borussia Mönchengladbach away one week later in the first game of the second half of the season (MD18) on Sunday, 21st January 2024 at 17:30 CET.