The football business can have a short shelf life. But the fact it is not always negative is particularly clear to FC Augsburg supporters at the moment. FCA looked in danger of going down after a 4-0 defeat at home to Hoffenheim two weeks ago but the management reacted and coach Manuel Baum had to go. The mood at Augsburg was in the doldrums. Now, at the end of April, euphoria is the order of the day as staying up now seems almost certain. The turnaround is due to Martin Schmidt (pictured above) who took over as head coach and he has made a great start in his third managerial position in the Bundesliga. Against the high flyers from Frankfurt, Schmidt started with a surprising but fully deserved 3-1 win and last Saturday Augsburg demolished VfB Stuttgart with a 6-0 victory in a crucial relegation battle – the biggest-ever win in the Bundesliga for the club. FCA never scored more than four goals in a game before that in the top flight. "It's almost surreal. I've never had a game that went so much like clockwork," declared a surprised Schmidt. But more important: There is now a ten-point gap to direct rivals Stuttgart and a win against Bayer 04 on Friday would ensure Augsburg staying up this season.
Schmidt certainly pulled a few tricks out of the bag in terms of personnel against Stuttgart. The usual left back Philipp Max was put on the left wing and the central striker was Marco Richter who normally plays on the flanks. The reshuffle was a complete success: Both Max and Richter netted braces in the 6-0 win. For Richter it was the second in succession: The 21-year-old scored twice in the 3-1 victory away to Eintracht Frankfurt where he was the FCA player of the match. A curious fact: The homegrown talent had not scored once in the previous 19 games this season and was often on the bench. The forward is now shining under the guidance of Schmidt. And, in those two matches’ Michael Gregoritsch, who has struggled for a long time this term, again looked like the player who stood out with 13 Bundesliga goals last season - although he was the only attacking player not to score against Stuttgart.
Schmidt's trick with Richter as central striker worked a treat but it was more or less an emergency measure. Augsburg's star, the Iceland international Alfred Finnbogason, underwent an operation on his calf two days before the important game against VfB Stuttgart and is ruled out for the rest of the season. The striker has continually battled with injuries over the course of this campaign but he still managed to clock up an impressive ten goals in 18 games - Augsburg will certainly miss that quality up front for the rest of the season. Also because the other central strikers in the squad are also sidelined through injury (Sergio Cordova, Dong-won Ji) or not fit for 90 minutes after coming back from injury (Julian Schieber). Lack of cover up front – and also right at the back recently. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, one of the most impressive Augsburg players in the second half of the season, suffered concussion in the game against Frankfurt and had to miss the Stuttgart match. It is possible the Swiss keeper could be back in goal for FCA against the Werkself.
Following recent results, Augsburg can now start planning for the ninth Bundesliga season in succession – a huge success for a small club. And the coach looks like the right man: Martin Schmidt, with his experience from his time at Mainz and Wolfsburg, should keep FCA in Germany's top flight and settle things down after a fractious season. Also significant: A number of home-grown talents should strengthen the first team. Schmidt has got off to an impressive start with Richter and he is also keen on the 20-year-old central defender Kevin Danso. With this talented team and quality players like Gregoritsch or Finnbogason, Augsburg always have the potential to spring a surprise.
Whether or not Augsburg get a result against Bayer 04 on Friday: It looks like nothing else should go wrong for FCA. Even in the event of a defeat against the Werkself, top-flight status could be sealed after this matchday if Stuttgart fail to win against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday night. Sooner or later Augsburg should be safe.
Bayer 04 put their unbeaten record under Kasper Hjulmand on the line as they host Union Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday (3.30pm CEST). However, the visitors have proven they can be dangerous on the break and clinical in front of goal. Today’s game also sees a voluntary survey on fan mobility and honours for fan clubs. Here’s all you need to know in our matchday news.
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We are taking the Day of German Unity and the anniversary as an opportunity to tell a story that befits the subject - that of Falko Götz. The long-serving player, who currently works in scouting at Bayer 04, spoke to bayer04.de about his youth in the GDR, his escape during an away game in Belgrade and how he identifies with Bayer 04.
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With seven points from five games, Union Berlin have made a decent start to the season. Particularly in the wins against VfB Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt, the Irons, who are otherwise known for their strong defence, impressively demonstrated they also have a lot to offer in attack. They will be looking to prove this once again at the BayArena on Saturday, 4 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST, match on Sky and highlights on DAZN). The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The Champions League is followed by the Bundesliga: Just three days after the draw against PSV in the UCL (1-1), the Werkself welcome Union Berlin to the BayArena on Saturday, 4 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST./live on Sky). At the press conference on the Day of German Unity, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about his team's tough opponents, the development of the back three and the contract extension for Exequiel Palacios.
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Derby time in the Rhineland! After a successful September, the Bayer 04 Women are away to FC Köln on Sunday, 4 October. In the Bundesliga match kicking off at 18:30 CEST at the Franz Kremer Stadium (live on MagentaSport and DAZN), coach Roberto Pätzold is counting on the return of a number of players who have been absent through injury.
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