Augsburg rocked by news of serious injury to defensive talisman Chrislain Matsima

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Bundesliga relegation candidates FC Augsburg found themselves rocked by potentially ahead of the Bundesliga restart. As confirmed by FCA head coach Manuel Baum at a Friday press conference, rock-solid centre-back Chrislain Matsima has incurred a serious thigh injury in training. After logging maximum minutes in 14 of Augsburg’s competitive fixtures this season, the 23-year-old may be set for surgery. 

Baum noted that a torn-tendon will sideline Matsima long term whilst speaking at the presser. The newly re-installed FCA head coach also confirmed that the club would urgently seek a replacement in the January transfer market. Amid all of Augsburg’s struggles this season, Matsima served as the lone pillar of defensive stability. The French Olympic representative recently signed a lucrative contract extension.

Matters get thin in the Augsburg defensive corps

Matsima’s line-mates from last season, Cedric Zesiger and Keven Schlotterbeck, have been unable to replicate the form that saw them excel under former FCA head coach Jess Thorup last spring. Zesiger has simply been too spotty while Schlotterbeck has had difficulty getting into rhythm due to suspension. Young American international Noahkai Banks doesn’t appear fully ready for the Bundesliga level yet while captain Jeffrey Gouweeleuw has been hurt. 

Augsburg recently signed Stuttgart midfielder Yannik Keitel (a makeshift central defender) as a potential candidate for the back-three. Midfielder Kristijan Jakic also once moved from midfield into the central defensive ranks when he joined the Fuggerstädter on a January loan. Jakic nevertheless simply hasn’t been able to hack it at the back recently and has had injury problems himself.

Baum also recently lost another central defensive option when the club opted to loan centre-back Maximilian Bauer out to Arminia Bielefeld. Bauer made no appearances this season after a previous unsuccessful loan stint with Kaiserslautern in the 2. Bundesliga last season, but might have actually proven useful in light of the shocking Matsima injury news. 

Baum speaks on Augsburg personnel issues

Baum let it be known that Keitel was an option for the back-three. Furthermore, the coach guaranteed that little used Danish defender Mads Pedersen would replace suspended left wingback Dimitrios Giannoulis against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday. With regard to the search for a regular starting forward, Baum declared a three-way-race. 

With Phillip Tietz shipped out to Mainz, recently re-signed Austrian striker Michael Gregoritisch will compete with converted No. 9 for the starting slot. Slumping African striker Samuel Essende – recently returned from AFCON duty with Congo DR – will also get another look.

Unfortunately for Essende, Congo DR head coach Sebastien Desabre opted to barely use him at the continental championship. Essende returns to Germany having logged only 16 minutes as a substitute in four Congo DR AFCON matches. 

GGFN | Peter Weis