FC Augsburg

In his first interview with FCA TV, the 19-year-old Belgian spoke about his first impressions of the club and the reasons he chose to become a Fuggerstädter: “The Bundesliga fits my style of play well,” said Engels, an academy graduate from Club Brugge who feels best on the right flank and in the centre of midfield. The Belgian has represented his country at U19 level nine times so far.

Iago, Reece Oxford, Niklas Dorsch, Mergim Berisha and Noah Sarenren Bazee were all training individually and did not travel to Campoamor, with head coach Enrico Maaßen able to give the remaining players plenty of playing time. The same was true for the Berliners, as former FCA man Rani Khedira started in central midfield.

Head coach Enrico Maaßen fielded a very young side for the second game, handing first-team debuts to new arrival Arne Engels and U19 goalkeeper Marcel Lubik. The match was played on one of the training pitches used by FC Union for their camp, in Campoamor.

The morning started with a short running session for three groups of players under a cloudy sky in Spain. The remaining players were biking inside the hotel. Arne Maier, who celebrated his 24th birthday today, was also serenaded by his teammates at lunch.

Head coach Enrico Maaßen’s side will return to Bundesliga action away at Borussia Dortmund on 22nd January (15:30 CET). In a final test before the league resumes, FCA will play a doubleheader of friendlies at home against fellow top-tier side VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday, 14th January (13:00 CET & 15:00 CET). Both matches will be 90 minutes.

In the huddle prior to training, the FCA players were first informed that Raphael Framberger had already left the training camp to complete a loan-move to another team. The 27-year-old, who joined Augsburg as an eight-year-old in 2004, made a video message for the fans.

The 22-year-old, who was born in the Bavarian town of Vilshofen, came to FC Augsburg from SpVgg Greuther Fürth in the summer. He was relegated from the Bundesliga with his former side in their first season. Bauer has made staying in the top division with FCA his top priority, although the six-time U21 international said: “You can’t compare the two clubs as Augsburg have been playing in the Bundesliga for over eleven years.”

“The decision to leave FCA, even if only temporarily, was definitely not an easy one for me. But, I would now like to once again experience a period where I am on the pitch regularly and getting a lot of playing experience. So, I asked those responsible to allow me this opportunity and I am unbelievably thankful that this has all happened so quickly and  uncomplicatedly,” said Raphael Framberger. “Not wearing an FCA shirt will definitely be a change for me at first, but I am looking forward to the new experience and I am certain that the loan will do me good from a sporting perspective.”

The players returned to the WWK ARENA at around 20:30 CET on Thursday evening. It was a very productive trip to Spain with plenty of sessions in the weights room, lots of hard work on the pitch and solid match practice in three friendlies. Enrico Maaßen’s side played twice against Bundesliga rivals Union Berlin (0-1,1-4) and once against Hungarian side Ferencváros (0-2). Most of the 34 players who travelled to Spain were able to get some valuable game time under their belts. The players were also able to enjoy some downtime in Algorfa with some opting for a round of golf and some heading for the beach in Alicante.

“It was very impressive how those responsible at FCA sold the club to me. They showed me the aims and prospects for the club, which I can fully identify with. As a result, I am very happy about the move. The Bundesliga is one of the best leagues in Europe and it is very appealing to me to prove myself at this level. I would like to help the team with goals and assists as well as my attitude, so that we can be successful as a team,” said Dion Beljo of his decision to sign for FCA.