Bundesliga - Augsburg before BVB home game: Don't drive the bus in front of the goal
After the first defeat of his tenure, coach Jess Thorup has high hopes for the last home game of the year. "We're trying to give our great fans a win for Christmas," said the 53-year-old Dane two days before the game against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday (3.30pm/Sky). The WWK Arena is sold out with 30,660 spectators.
Last weekend 's 2-0 defeat at Werder Bremen was Thorup's first loss in the Bundesliga after six unbeaten games in charge. "It was clear to me that we wouldn't be able to continue this streak forever, even if I had hoped for it," said Thorup. "We worked through the game well."
The Augsburg coach left it open on Thursday whether the Brazilian Iago and the Croatian Dion Beljo would be able to play against the Champions League group winners. Both have been injured recently.
Augsburg have not won against BVB in five matches, picking up just one point in the process. In their last encounter, FCA suffered a 3-0 home defeat on matchday 33 of last season. The Swabians do not want to be too defensive. "We will never be the team that drives the bus in front of the goal, as they like to say," explained Thorup. "We will always try to play with an offensive mindset."
BVB defender Mats Hummels will be missing on his 35th birthday due to a suspension. His fellow defender Niklas Süle came under particular scrutiny in the 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain. He saved Borussia from going behind with a monster save.
"I don't want to say too much about one situation in the game. I saw the game, it was a great game with lots of chances," said Thorup when asked about Süle's save. He praised BVB, who have repeatedly weakened this season and go into the clash with ninth-placed Augsburg in fifth place. "When you see how Dortmund did in the Champions League, you can't forget which team you're talking about."
Bundesliga fixture list Bundesliga table FCA squad The FC Augsburg coaches Preview
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- Despite the loss, Augsburg coach Jess Thorup is optimistic ahead of their final home game before Christmas against Borussia Dortmund.
- The WWK Arena in North Rhine-Westphalia's Dortmund will be filled to capacity with 30,660 spectators for the Bundesliga match on Saturday.
- Augsburg has not fared well against BVB recently, losing four times in a row and only managing a single point.
- In their last encounter, BVB secured a 3-0 victory over Augsburg, a result the Swabians are eager to avoid repeating.
- Jess Thorup, the 53-year-old Dane, has emphasized that his team will never adopt a defensive approach, despite their history against BVB.
- The absence of Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels due to suspension on his 35th birthday will be a challenge for the team.
- Niklas Süle, another BVB defender, gained praise from Thorup following his impressive save in the draw against Paris Saint-Germain.
- The game against Augsburg is crucial for BVB, who currently sit in fifth place in the Bundesliga soccer league, with FC Augsburg occupying the ninth position.
Source: www.stern.de
