Thorup: “It’s important that we believe”

The final game of the season away at champions Leverkusen

FC Ausgburg are ready for the last game of the 2023/24 Bundesliga season. The Fuggerstädter are the visitors at newly-crowned German champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Saturday (15:30 CEST), with the hosts set to receive the trophy after the game and intent on completing their unbeaten league season.

Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in 50 competitive games and no Bundesliga team has managed to beat Xabi Alonso’s side this season. “Nobody expects anything from us in Leverkusen,” said FCA head coach Jess Thorup, “but I believe in us – and it’s important that the team believes too.” The Fuggerstädter held out until deep into injury time in the return fixture, before Exequiel Palacios scored the only goal of the game to make it 1-0 in the 94th minute.

Mbabu missing due to suspension

The Fuggerstädter will have to do without right-back Kevin Mbabu (one-game suspension) alongside Finn Dahmen, Robert Gumny, Elvis Rexhbecaj and Fredrik Jensen for the final Bundesliga matchday. Additionally, Ruben Vargas, Kristijan Jakić, Pep Biel und Iago haven’t been able to participate fully in training this week. “We need to wait and see which options are available to us for the game in Leverkusen,” said Thorup.

FCA want to end the season with a good and passionate performance, and they will be accompanied by over 3,000 fans in Leverkusen.