Baum: “We need to be giving 100% all of the time”

Since the 2-2 draw in Hoffenheim on Saturday, in which Augsburg came from behind twice to earn a point, preparations have already begun for the upcoming home game against Hannover 96 (Saturday, 21st October, 15:30). After training on Tuesday, FCA coach Manuel Baum spoke about the two debutants as well as the reasons behind the current run of form. On Tuesday, Dong-Won Ji, Konstantinos Stafylidis, Raphael Framberger, Daniel Opare and Georg Teigl were only able to complete individual or partial training, but all of them should be back in full training over the coming days. Ioannis Gelios did participate in this morning’s training session, but he had to leave early. Elsewhere, Sergio Cordóva is nursing an ankle ligament injury and will be out for a few weeks, while Martin Hinteregger’s operation went smoothly. “We’ve got to wait now to see if his injury has healed well,” said Manuel Baum, adding “I wish him all the best.” Hinteregger played the whole 90 minutes in Saturday’s game against Hoffenheim, and was joined in the squad by his countryman Kevin Danso. The 19-year-old, who was making his first appearance for FCA this season, is now an important player in light of Hinteregger’s injury issue: “Kevin has won my full confidence after the appearances he made for Austria in the international break,” said Baum of the central defender. “I was really pleased with his performance against Hoffenheim.” Baum full of praise for Marco Richter There was also a debut in Sinsheim for Marco Richter. The 19-year-old forward was substituted on on the latter stages of the game for the first time ever in the German top flight. Manuel Baum also had good things to say about the youngster: “Marco is very technically talented and is a deadly finisher. If he’s ever in a one-on-one situation, he’ll come out on top more often than not. He plays with a lot of pace and presses hard.” According to his coach, Richter worked very hard for his debut, and “every minute In the Bundesliga does him well.” More appearances should follow in the near future, including the home game against Hannover this Saturday. Baum is wary to not underestimate the newly promoted side from Lower Saxony. “Anyone can beat anyone in this league.” It’s very important to the 38-year-old to have the right mentality week in, week out: “We need to be giving 100% the whole time, even when things are difficult.” Baum wants his team to play with “the same effort that we played with against Hoffenheim.” If they do that, their third home win of the season is more than achievable.