Manuel Baum: "Take the initiative"
First Team
15.02.2017, 14:57
After the 2-0 defeat in Mainz, Manuel Baum is looking ahead to the floodlit game on Friday night against Bayer 04 Leverkusen (20:30 CET). "We need to be purposeful. Too often in Mainz we weren't positive enough and we didn't win enough second balls. We need to take the initiative." The analysis of the last match also suggested that Augsburg were not crisp enough with their counter attacks. "We've been working on that," said coach Manuel Baum, who seemed happy with the way things have been progressing in training. The opponent on Friday, however, will be treated with appropriate respect: "We're aware of the dangers that Leverkusen possess. They're a team full of pace and, in my opinion, they're one of the best teams in Germany." Dominik Kohr, who began his career at Leverkusen, praised, above all, the opponent's attacking options. "It will be particularly important that we are defensively strong and then when we attack we need to create chances. In Julian Brandt, Karim Bellarabi and Chicharito they have a potent strike force. Meanwhile, the injury situation at Augsburg is improving. " Jan Moravek, Ja-Cheol Koo, Marwin Hitz und Daniel Baier have all, in the last few days, returned to training. The number of injuries has decreased and we now have options in all areas," said Manuel Baum gladly. Alfred Finnbogason has also made progress: "Alfred is doing very well. At the moment he is working on power." Kostas Stafylidis, however, is suffering from a stomach bug and it remains unclear whether or not he will be fit to face Leverkusen.
