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.
Season tickets for the Werkself home matches in the new Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga season are now on general sale. The season ticket is valid for all 13 matches at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The first home match will be played between 28 and 31 August against the runners-up, VfL Wolfsburg, followed by the clash with the German champions, Bayern Munich, between 11 and 14 September.
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A new team, a new environment, a new challenge—and yet one thing remains the same for Afonso Moreira: his attitude. Total dedication, discipline, and the drive to improve every day have defined the Portuguese player since his early days at Sporting CP. “Even back then, I realized I had to work hard to achieve my goals,” said the 21-year-old. His parents also instilled those values in him from a young age. Values that have driven him ever since, accompanied him to France when he signed for Lyon, and now also form the foundation for his new chapter at Bayer 04. At a media session, the lightning-fast winger spoke about his values, as well as his new teammates, the new coach, and his targets at the club.
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Former Bundesliga and Germany keeper Manfred Manglitz, who was promoted to the Oberliga West with Bayer 04 in 1962, passed away on Monday at the age of 86.
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Justine Brandau and Lobke Loonen joined the Bayer 04 Women’s squad in quick succession this summer. The two Dutch players have been friends since their youth days, and are now playing for the same club for the first time. In an interview at the training camp in Rieden, Brandau and Loonen talk, amongst other things, about their experiences as opponents in the Vrouwen Eredivisie, the dynamic within their new team and their first few weeks in Leverkusen.
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