Our next opponents: Physically strong, dangerous, fast in transition

Position

FC Augsburg would have liked to have cracked the 35-point mark by now. There were plenty of chances to do so in last weekend's 2-2 draw against TSG Hoffenheim. And the start to the game could not have gone better for FC Augsburg. The attacking talents of Alexis Claude-Maurice and Michael Gregoritsch gave them a 2-0 lead after 14 minutes. However, TSG equalised before the break "because we were too careless in both situations", as FCA coach Manuel Baum said. Nevertheless, there was still more in the second half for his team and they could have netted the winner five minutes before the end of normal time. However, the impressive Claude-Maurice failed to score from the penalty spot, leaving FCA without a win for the fifth game in a row. Baum nevertheless praised his team: "We put in a good performance over 90 minutes against one of the best teams in the Bundesliga," declared the FC Augsburg coach. "It shows the smart, ambitious attitude we're developing at Augsburg that when one of the top teams comes, we say: We've got a chance, we'll give it our all." Striker Gregoritsch was satisfied with his own performance, if not with the result, noting "a clear improvement" compared to previous matches. "But unfortunately, we didn't get the result we wanted," said the Austrian, who immediately issued a challenge to his next opponent: "Now we want to repeat the Hinrunde victory in Leverkusen."

At the beginning of December last year, Augsburg won 2-0 against the Werkself when Baum took over as coach thanks to goals from Dimitrios Giannoulis and Anton Kade. Under Sandro Wagner's successor, FCA managed to turn things round. They inflicted Bayern Munich's first defeat of the Bundesliga season (2-1) on matchday 19 at their own ground, won four of the next five games and were in ninth place at the end of February after a 2-0 win against FC Köln. That was followed by three defeats against top teams RB Leipzig (1-2), Borussia Dortmund (0-2) and VfB Stuttgart (2-5), before netting points again on the last two matchdays with a 1-1 draw with HSV and the 2-2 result against Hoffenheim. FC Augsburg are currently in tenth place on 33 points. Ahead of the final five matches, they are eight points clear of the play-off spot and twelve points away from direct relegation. They no longer have to worry too much about staying up. Especially as FCA's remaining fixtures include clashes with Werder Bremen, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Union Berlin. All teams in the bottom half of the table.

Personnel

The most pleasing personnel development for FC Augsburg in the 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim was the return of their captain: Following a five-month injury lay-off, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw made a 60-minute comeback for FC Augsburg. The Dutchman suffered an MCL injury, underwent surgery and then took the time "that your body simply needs until it's good again," said the 34-year-old, who celebrated his tenth year at FCA in January this year. Against Hoffenheim, Gouweleeuw replaced the suspended Keven Schlotterbeck in central defence and immediately shone as the provider for Gregoritsch's strike to make it 2-0. On Saturday, the captain should once again be playing alongside Schlotterbeck in defence. Noahkai Banks, Cedric Zesiger or Arthur Chaves are available as the third man in the back three. Baum now has almost a full squad to choose from. The coach will only have to manage without centre-back Chrislain Matsima (thigh).

Han-Noah Massengo is back in midfield after recovering from illness. Most recently, Baum relied on Robin Fellhauer and Fabian Rieder in the middle of the park. By his own admission, the latter feels "really, really comfortable" in holding midfield. The Switzerland international, who was signed from Stade Rennes in the summer, was actually intended for a more attacking role. In the last two games, however, the 24-year-old has played from a deeper position. "I can provide lots of impetus, especially in transitional play, and also good passes and be aggressive in duels," said Rieder, who is Augsburg's second-best scorer and provider (four goals, four assists) after Claude-Maurice (5/6).

Dimitrios Giannoulis (on the left), Marius Wolf or Robin Fellhauer could play in the centre of midfield against the Werkself unless the latter is replaced by Massengo. Claude-Maurice and Gregoritsch are likely to play up front. One option is Rodrigo Ribeiro: The Portuguese shone in the 2-0 win against FC Köln in Augsburg's 500th Bundesliga match, and not just because of his back-heel goal.

Problems

Despite their strong battling spirit, FC Augsburg continue to have problems in defence. With 53 goals conceded, the FCA defence is one of the weakest in the league. In the last five games alone, goalkeeper Finn Dahmen has had to pick the ball out of his net twelve times. FCA have gone 18 Bundesliga games without a clean sheet away from home. Nine of 14 matches away from home have been lost in the current season. That compares to just three wins and two draws.

Performers

FC Augsburg produced a no-frills approach and fast transitional play in the 2-0 win against Bayer 04 and a few weeks later in the 2-1 victory in Munich. In attack, Claude-Maurice and Gregoritsch in particular, as well as Anton Kade and Rieder, who comes through from midfield, are working together better and better. In addition, FCA have impressed in all games with their high intensity - both defensively and offensively. The 74 yellow cards the team have picked up - the highest number in the league - are proof of just how robust Augsburg are. The Bavarian Swabians are also one of the leading teams in the top flight in terms of the number of duels. Baum's team often press their opponents early on and try to exert pressure on them by winning the ball. It is not only the attacking players who are dangerous in front of goal. The Red, Green and Whites have scored 17 different goalscorers - the fourth-highest number in the table. Even though possession is often below 40 per cent, FCA regularly create many chances thanks to their determined transitional play.