FC Augsburg has the historic opportunity to take top spot in the Bundesliga. To achieve this, manager Manuel Baum's team needs to earn points in today's Saturday evening match at 17:30 against Eintracht Frankfurt, as reported by Presse Augsburg.
The Fuggerstädter started the season with a 3:0 home win against Schalke and currently sit sixth in the standings with three points. They have scored three goals and conceded none. This puts them just three points behind leaders SC Freiburg. A win in Frankfurt with a result like 2:0 or 3:1 would propel Augsburg to the summit due to a superior goal difference. Mainz and HSV, who both played their second Sunday match, failed to win in round one.
Can Augsburg achieve historic leadership?
FC Augsburg has never topped the Bundesliga table in its history. The chance is tangible today. Eintracht Frankfurt started the season with a 3:3 draw against Union Berlin and is still finding its feet after personnel changes. Manager Adi Hütter returned before the season after stints at Mönchengladbach and Monaco. Shortly before the transfer deadline, Frankfurt signed goalkeeper Noah Atubolu from Freiburg, while Nathaniel Brown moved to Bayern and Aurele Amanda joined Coventry in the Premier League.
For Augsburg's attacking player Michael Gregoritsch, the duel has a personal note. After scoring in the 3:1 win in Frankfurt in 2019, another goal today would tie him with Alfred Finnbogason on the club's all-time scorers list. Manager Manuel Baum, however, sees the key to success elsewhere. "Against Frankfurt, it will probably depend less on offensive qualities and more on team unity and consistent defensive behavior," Baum said.
Who is missing from the Augsburg squad?
Augsburg's personnel situation is tense. Attacking player Anton Kade, who has national team ambitions, ended training early during the week. Baum left it open whether Kade can play in Frankfurt. The absence of centre-back Calvin Brackelmann is confirmed. Both players are on the club's current injuries list.
Despite the absences, Baum has a plan. The expected starting lineup features Finn Dahmen in goal. The back four could consist of Mërgim Berisha, Loïs Matsima, a replacement for Brackelmann, and Maximilian Bauer. The midfield is expected to feature Arne Maier, Yannick Gerhardt, and Fredrik Jensen. In attack, alongside Gregoritsch, Ermedin Demirović and another forward could start from the beginning. The exact lineup remains open until shortly before kick-off.
What comes after the Frankfurt match?
Regardless of the result in Frankfurt, the season is long. The next challenge awaits on September 12th. Then, FC Augsburg hosts fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen at the WWK ARENA. This home game is part of a demanding start to the season, which fans can follow in our fixtures schedule.
The team under Manuel Baum wants to carry the momentum from the strong season start. Three points, three goals, zero conceded, this record provides confidence. A win in Frankfurt would not only be three points, but a real statement. The Fuggerstädter have the chance to make history. The match will be broadcast live on DAZN.
