"The team didn't just produce a brilliant tactical performance with a man down at Stuttgart. The spirit, the mentality – we have positive memories of that game," said Gerardo Seoane looking back at the 3-1 win at VfB. The Werkself played with ten men for an hour in last Sunday's match after Robert Andrich was sent off.
It was an energy-sapping and intensive clash for Bayer 04 at Stuttgart. However, in contrast to the next few weeks, there was no game in the Europa League or the DFB Cup so Patrik Schick and Co. were able to recover in their own time. That means Seoane has all the players available from the squad for the Stuttgart game with the exception of the suspended Andrich.
Edmond Tapsoba, who has been back on the training ground for the past few days, is still sidelined along with Julian Baumgartlinger, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Exequiel Palacios and goalkeeper Niklas Lomb.
The biggest plus for the visitors from Mainz this season is their strength in defence: The team under head coach Bo Svensson have only conceded two goals – the least in the league along with VfL Wolfsburg. It is clear given the stats that a considered approach will be required to get on the scoreboard. Seoane: "We face the challenge of finding solutions to their compact defending to be able to create good chances. It's down to us from the start to produce high intensity and use the width of the pitch to pull their defence apart."
A look at the table, with Mainz 05 level on points with the Werkself in fifth place, is only a "snapshot" for the Swiss boss. More significant are the impressive performances by the next opponents – and that already started at the start of the second half of last term (fifth place in the second half of the season table).
There is no doubt that Lukas Hradecky and Co. face a tricky game against Mainz but they can again count on the support of 15,000 fans. There will be 455 away fans from Mainz. There are still a few remaining tickets for Bayer 04 fans making a late decision to attend the game.
Match information:
Broadcasters: Sky and Werkself Radio
Referee: The match officials will be announced on the day of the game
After the first win of the season against 1. FC Union Berlin (4-0) last weekend, the Werkself are aiming to collect another three points at FC Augsburg on Saturday 12 September (kick-off 15:30 CEST). The hosts, meanwhile, are enjoying their best-ever start to a Bundesliga campaign and go into Matchday 3 top of the table for the first time. The Matchday News.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to FC Augsburg on matchday 3 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season. The game at the WWK Arena against the current – and for the first time – league leaders of the German top flight is on Saturday 12 September at 15:30 CEST. Ahead of the match, head coach Carles Martínez spoke about this week’s training and the team’s approach to the fixture, as they face an opponent brimming with confidence. The Spaniard also addressed a number of squad matters.
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FC Augsburg are top of the table for the first time in their Bundesliga history. After two wins for starters, FCA lead the German top-flight with six points and a goal difference of 7 to 1. This Saturday, 12 September (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), Augsburg are looking to build on their strong start to the season against the Werkself. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Following the closure of the 2026 summer transfer window, the Bayer 04 men's and women's first teams lined up for a first-ever joint photo at the BayArena. Werkself fans can now download the official photos for free.
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Bayer 04 Women will be without captain Carolin Simon and striker Valentina Mädl over the coming weeks. Both players missed last Friday's 2-1 Bundesliga win at TSG Hoffenheim because of muscle injuries.
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