Thorup: “Play to our strengths”

Away at Dortmund on matchday 32

There are three games left in the Bundesliga as the season nears its end. FC Augsburg are in action away from home against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday afternoon (15:30 CEST).

Head coach Jess Thorup and his team were extremely disappointed following the 3-0 home defeat against Werder Bremen on matchday 31. “We were lacking the basics – I made this very clear on Sunday morning,” explained the 54-year-old Dane, who is expecting a clear response against Dortmund: “We’ve used the week to work on exactly that and we’re focused on playing to our strengths again.”

The Fuggerstädter now face an away game against BVB, who are only fifth in the league despite being in touching distance of the Champions League final. “Dortmund played outstandingly and deserved to win,” said Thorup, who was impressed by BVB’s 1-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain. Nevertheless, FCA’s head coach doesn’t want to hide and announced that his side will take an attacking approach: “If we go to Dortmund to park the bus, then we might as well stay at home.”

Breithaupt or Dorsch to replace Jakić

Thorup left it open as to who will replace the suspended Kristijan Jakić in defensive midfield. The two possible candidates are Tim Breithaupt and Niklas Dorsch. Iago, who has been working with the fitness coach out on the pitch, remains absent as he isn’t pain-free yet. “Nothing has changed from last week apart from that,” said the Dane, who didn’t rule out changes to the starting eleven.

The Fuggerstädter will be supported by over 3,000 FCA fans in Dortmund, with these supporters set to form a sea of red with the motto ‘all in red’ in the away end.