Thorup: “We want to take the next step”

Darmstadt away on matchday 24

FC Augsburg visit bottom of the league SV Darmstadt 98 on matchday 24. Head coach Jess Thorup believes Saturday’s clash at 15:30 CET could be key in determining how FCA’s season finishes.

“We need to show that we’re ready to take the next step,” said Thorup. After beating SC Freiburg 2-1 last time out, the coach is aiming for a second successive win, something FCA last managed in October 2023 (5-2 in Heidenheim, 3-2 against Wolfsburg). While Augsburg are currently in 11th place with 26 points, Darmstadt are bottom of the league after winning promotion last season. Torsten Lieberknecht’s side did pick up a deserved point away to in-form Werder Bremen last weekend though (1-1).

The Lilies’ last win actually came in the reverse fixture in Augsburg (2-1), just days before Thorup took over at the Fuggerstädter. The 54-year-old Dane, who was in attendance for the Augsburg Panther game on Wednesday night at the Curt-Frenzel-Stadion, is expecting a “really tough match game in Darmstadt.” Nevertheless, the FCA boss wants his team to build on their good performance against Freiburg and pick up more points on their travels.

Gouweleeuw available again after suspension

The Fuggerstädter will have centre-back Jeffrey Gouweleeuw available again after he missed the Freiburg game due to a yellow-card suspension. Mads Pedersen, however, remains banned after his red card in Mainz and Patric Pfeiffer is still injured (muscular problems). Arne Maier and goalscorer Arne Engels, who impressed after coming off the bench against Freiburg, are being considered for the starting XI.

“We need more than 11 good players,” explain the Dane, who again wants a solid team performance this weekend. Around 1,500 FCA fans will make the trip to Hesse to support their team.