FC Augsburg

.In their last three home matches, FCA have played against three of the Bundesliga’s best sides. Despite putting in three good performances, Augsburg drew 1-1 against Borussia Dortmund and fell to defeats against Leverkusen (1-0) and Bayern (3-2), which is why head coach Jess Thorup wants to see his side pick up some points in their next match. “We’ve got to up our game again and need to play well for the full 90,” said the 53-year-old. The Dane went on to state that FCA’s fans “help us out every game” and called for their support once again this weekend.

Last weekend, FCA were rewarded with a late equaliser after a much-improved second-half performance in their clash against VfL Bochum. In light of that match, Thorup expressed his desire to see Augsburg shut the opposition attack down: “We want to show that we can keep a clean sheet,” explained Thorup, who noted that Leipzig have “a lot of quality up front.” RBL got back to winning ways against Union Berlin last week after falling to three successive defeats to start off the year.

Head coach Jess Thorup sent out an unchanged side from last weekend’s 3-2 defeat against FC Bayern München. New signing Pep Biel was included in the matchday squad for the first time, in place of the injured Dion Beljo. 

The hosts started well at home on a cold and rainy afternoon in Bochum, as Patrick Osterhage missed the target from 16 meters out inside the opening quarter of an hour (11′). FCA found their way into the game as time went on, but were then unlucky to concede first. Moritz Broschinski scored an acrobatic bicycle kick following a corner to give VfL the lead (29′). 

Arne Maier: “We knew that we would have a tough away game here. Bochum really forced the issue in the first half and, as expected, played a lot of long balls. In the second half and especially in the last few minutes, we clearly had the upper hand in possession, so I think a draw is a fair result. It all went really quickly in the build-up to the penalty, but I saw an arm in play and that’s how the referee saw it too. At the end of the day, we’re happy to take the point.”

Thorup expressed his satisfaction with the recent improvement in his side’s performances, even despite the narrow 3-2 loss against FC Bayern last weekend. “I’m very pleased with the way the team has performed in the first three games after the winter break. We want to take this confidence into the match against Bochum. It’s a big game,” said the Dane, who wants to see his side get their second away win of the season at the weekend. In their last match on the road, FCA ran out as 2-1 winners against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Just one point separates the two sides in the Bundesliga standings, with Augsburg sitting in 13th (21 points) and VfL currently occupying 14th place (20 points). Thorup noted that Bochum have played well at home this season and stated that he’s expecting it to be “an eventful game. Bochum are a side that love a challenge. They’re good at pressing and are good in the air. That being said, the players know what to expect from the opposition,” said Augsburg’s head coach.

Pep Biel will reunite with Jess Thorup in Augsburg, as he had previously played under the Dane when he was at FC Copenhagen in the 2021/22 season. The Spaniard was named Player of the Season that year, as he scored eight goals and registered eight assists to help FCK win the Danish Superliga title.

Biel has 20 appearances under his belt for Olympiakos so far this campaign, which includes four Europa League qualifiers and three Europa League matches. He’s bagged two goals and assisted four more in those matches. The attacker had an impressive first year in Greece, with eight goals and two assists to his name.

The 23-year-old Dane, who has been an FC Augsburg player since October 2020 and remains under contract until 30th June 2025, only featured in the DFB-Pokal defeat at Unterhaching this season. The centre-back was an unused substitute in three Bundesliga games, including the recent home match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Head coach Jess Thorup made just one change to his team following last weekend’s 2-1 away win against Borussia Mönchengladbach. New signing Kristijan Jakic started in defensive midfield and made his first start for the Függestädter. 

After winning both their last two Bundesliga home games against the record champions, Augsburg looked as though they would be able to do the same today. A shot from Ermedin Demirović hit Matthijs de Ligt on the arm, with referee Christian Dingert initially pointing to the spot. The handball had occurred just outside of the box, however, and VAR corrected the decision to a free kick, but FCA weren’t able to capitalise (6′). Six minutes later, the hosts thought they had taken the lead after Elvis Rexhbecaj smashed home a shot after Demirović had flicked on a cross, but it was then ruled out due to offside (12′). 

The record champions then went on to take the lead from a set piece. Leon Goretzka redirected a corner so that it fell to the feet of youngster Aleksander Pavlović, who only had to tap in the opener (23′). Up until that point, the hosts had been the ones to carve out the majority of chances. The match was sold out, with a total of 30,660 spectators in attendance. FCA then conceded once more just before the break, as Alphonso Davies thumped home a shot from outside the box (45’+5).

Ermedin Demirović: “Not getting anything from today’s game is really disappointing, but I still want to praise the whole team for this performance. Playing like that and scoring two goals against Bayern certainly isn’t a given. We fought for every ball, something that our team always does and something we need to continue doing. Scoring two goals today, including my first ever against Bayern, obviously gives me some confidence – but I’d rather have taken a point.”

“I feel like we’re on a really good trajectory,” said FCA head coach Jess Thorup, referring to the progress the team have made with the ball at their feet, amongst other things. Before last weekend’s 2-1 away victory over Gladbach, Thorup had called for improvements in that regard – this game plan will have to be continued against a team as dominant on the ball as Bayern München. “We will try to keep in control of the game not just when we’re out of possession, but when we have the ball as well. We don’t just want to defend.”

The details of the loan will remain undisclosed. Čolina is still under contract at FCA until 30th June 2027. After making seven appearances in the Bundesliga in the second half of last season, during which he scored his debut goal in a 4-3 defeat in Dortmund, Čolina has featured just once in 2023/24 (DFB-Pokal defeat vs. Unterhaching). The former Croatia U21 international has been included in three matchday squads this term. 

“David has struggled to earn playing time at his position as a left-back over the last months, as we  have plenty of cover in this position,” explained FCA sporting director Marinko Jurendic. “During his time at Vejle, David will be able to work with one of his former academy coaches who knows him well and will hopefully help him earn plenty of playing time. We wish David all the best at his new club.”