The long run of wins at the end of last year is history. In November and December, FC Augsburg picked up 16 out of a possible 18 points in eight games to move from the play-off spot to mid-table stability. FCA are still there – even though the New Year has not proved to be a smooth ride. Since the winter break, Augsburg have picked up one win, one draw and three defeats. "We definitely would have expected more," Stefan Reuter, the sporting managing director, declared recently but he also looked forward: "There are phases like that where things don't go to plan. We've often been through tricky situations in the past." And Augsburg do not consider the situation to be that serious. After last weekend's 1-1 draw with Freiburg, FCA have 27 points and a ten-point lead over the play-off position. The upcoming opponents could be a cause for concern: After the game at the BayArena, Augsburg face Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg and Schalke 04.
Robert Lewandowski, Timo Werner, Jadon Sancho – and then comes Florian Niederlechner (pictured above). Only the three above-named stars have been more successful in the current Bundesliga campaign then the Augsburg striker. Niederlechner, who joined Augsburg in the summer, has hit the ground running and up-to-date has scored eleven goals and provided nine assists. The Werkself will have to be wary of FCA’s fast and technically gifted striker particularly in counter-attacks – particularly if strike partner Alfred Finnbogason is on the pitch to support him. The Icelander was out of action for a long time due to a shoulder injury and has only been able to start in the past two matches but he could provide additional penetration for the Augsburg attack.
The left-sided player Philipp Max also has impressive stats: The 26-year-old has seven goals and five assists – although he has played most of his games at left back. Max is by far the most dangerous defender in the Bundesliga in front of goal. He also scored against Freiburg although he did start that game on the left-wing. Max has started in that position three times and has scored on each occasion. Will coach Martin Schmidt try that recipe for success against Bayer 04? Entirely possible. It is almost certain that Tin Jedvaj, on loan from Leverkusen, will be in the starting eleven on his return to the BayArena. Since moving to Augsburg in August, the Croat has started every game for Augsburg. After often playing at right back, he returned to his normal position in the centre of defence against Freiburg.
The defence has not yet proved to be particularly solid in the second half of the season. Augsburg have conceded 14 goals since the winter break, the most in the Bundesliga. They let in five against Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt with the goalkeeper Tomas Koubek yet to keep a clean sheet in 2020. The Czech Republic international is no longer guaranteed to be the first choice shot-stopper. Two weeks ago, the FCA coach Schmidt called for competition with the reserve keeper Andreas Luthe. Koubek will be in goal against Bayer 04 as Schmidt has recently backed up Koubek again.
In spite of limited resources, Augsburg have again managed to avoid being involved in a relegation battle early on through shrewd purchases – as has often been the case in the recent past. Niederlechner has been a real hit and the Switzerland international Ruben Vargas has had an impressive first season. At least equally impressive: Coveted players like Max, Finnbogason and the Germany U21 international Marco Richter have kept faith with Augsburg. That says a lot for the approach of the club, now in their ninth Bundesliga season in succession.
Number nine is in full flow – and number ten is within reach. With a ten-point lead over sixteenth position, FCA are in with a good chance of playing in the Bundesliga next season. The quality of the squad is more than adequate with the attack, in particular, able to hurt any team in the Bundesliga. However, a carefree rest of the season may well depend on picking up a few points in the next games against strong opposition.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-0 win against FC Carl Zeiss Jena on the 21th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Three goals weren’t enough for the Werkself to beat FC Heidenheim on Saturday. The 3-3 stalemate was Bayer 04’s third Bundesliga draw in a row. After a commanding first half and a two-goal lead, “we didn’t get back into our game,” summarised Mark Flekken, who featured between the sticks for the first time in two months. Patrik Schick once again proved his nose for goal, bagging a brace. He is now the third-most prolific Bundesliga scorer in the club’s history. Despite the squandered points, head coach Kasper Hjulmand remains confident ahead of the final spurt of the season: “We’re ready to overcome this situation.” The Werkself review.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 3-3 draw at FC Heidenheim on Matchday 27 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...
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Bayer 04 were held to a 3-3 draw away at Heidenheim despite twice taking the lead on Bundesliga Matchday 27. Malik Tillman and Patrik Schick had given the Werkself a 2-0 advantage in the first half, but Hennes Behrens and a Marvin Pieringer penalty brought the hosts level after the restart. Schick restored the lead not long after. However, Pieringer also struck again in the closing minutes to restrict Leverkusen to just a point away at the Bundesliga’s bottom side.
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Bayer 04 have fond memories of their encounters with Heidenheim, including a resounding 6-0 win in the reverse fixture. Kasper Hjulmand’s side would very much like to produce a similarly clinical display as they now head to the Voith-Arena for Matchday 27 on Saturday (15:30 CET). But they come up against a team fighting for their Bundesliga lives at the bottom of the table, 10 points adrift of safety with time running out. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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