Two teams in very different veins of form in FC Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund clash on Friday evening to kick-start Matchday 9 of the Bundesliga – here’s our preview for the game below.
| Photo: Alex Grimm/Getty Images. |
FC Augsburg
After FC Augsburg’s season reached a new low point after being subjected to a 6-0 mauling at the hands of Leipzig, fans hoped for a response in the DFB-Pokal. Instead, they were met with another crushing defeat.
Having been relegated to the 2.Bundesliga last summer and currently one place above the bottom of the table in Germany’s second-tier, VfL Bochum looked like a favourable draw. That was until Gerrit Holtmann struck to dump Augsburg out 1-0.
Sandro Wagner’s players were “at a loss for words” as Christian Jakic put it after the game. Now, the under-fire head coach and his squad must dust themselves down as they prepare to take on one of Germany’s in-form sides in Dortmund.
It’s worth noting that the Bavarians are no strangers to this. Four consecutive defeats from the end of August to late September put Wagner under pressure which he lifted in a big win over Wolfsburg – perhaps the WWK Arena will see similar fortunes on Friday if home form doesn’t haunt them again.
Team news:
On the personnel front, Augsburg have a rather clean bill of health to the relief of Wagner. The 37-year-old revealed that Jeff Gouweleewu will miss out as he battles back to full fitness, while it’s uncertain if Chrislain Matsima will be available.
Finn Dahmen will remain between the posts with Jakic, Matsima and Banks in the backline. Kade and Giannoulis take up wing-back roles either side of Fellhauer and Massengo. In attack, Rieder and Claude-Maurice ought to partner Komur.
Predicted lineup: Dahmen – Jakic, Matsima, Banks – Kade, Fellhauer, Massengo, Giannoulis, Rieder, Claude-Maurice – Komur
Borussia Dortmund
In what was predicted to be a tight encounter beforehand, Dortmund managed to snatch a 1-0 win in their last Bundesliga encounter against 1.FC Koln. Maximilian Beier eventually got the better of Marvin Schwabe in the 96th-minute to ensure victory.
The fixture schedule didn’t let up for BVB who travelled to Eintracht Frankfurt in the second round of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday. Despite falling behind early on, Julian Brandt equalised and pulled off a 4-2 triumph on penalties to advance.
Kovac noted it was “a risk he had to take” when he rotated once more. Serhou Guirassy only featured off the bench while Aaron Anselmino, Jobe Bellingham and Julian Brandt got more minutes. The likes of Chukwuemeka and Nmecha were key off the bench.
Now, attention turns back to German topflight action as the Westphalians prepare for their first Friday night fixture of the season. Having lost both league meetings with Augsburg last season, Kovac’s side will be looking for a measure of revenge.
Team news:
Kovac revealed that Niklas Sule is a slight doubt with a swollen toe, but Ramy Bensebaini should be fit to travel and play. Emre Can (adductor) and Julien Duranville (shoulder) are on the mend, but the game in Bavaria comes too soon for both.
Therefore, Kobel will mind the goals while Anton, Schlotterbeck and Bensebaini form the three-man defence. Yan Couto ought to get a rare start in midfield with Sabitzer, Nmecha and Svensson. Up top, Adeyemi and Brandt slot in behind Guirassy.
Predicted lineup: Kobel – Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini – Ryerson, Sabitzer, Nmecha, Svensson – Adeyemi, Brandt – Guirassy
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