Maaßen: “Our ultimate goal is to make the next round”
DFB-Pokal match in Unterhaching
First Team
11.08.2023, 14:45
It’s go time! FC Augsburg will begin their 2023/24 campaign on Sunday 13th August (15:30 CEST) away to SpVgg Unterhaching in the DFB-Pokal, and are aiming to prove that they are rightly the favourites to win.
“I’m really excited by this team”, explained head coach Enrico Maaßen in his first press conference of the season. “We have brought in some great characters who will revitalise the energy on the pitch. Our ultimate goal is to make the next round in Unterhaching”, said the 39-year-old, who is beginning his second season in charge at the club.
Unterhaching, who were recently just promoted to the third division, began their season with a 1-1 draw against Jahn Regensburg last weekend. Maaßen is fully aware that they won’t be an easy opposition: “It will be a good atmosphere in Unterhaching, so it’s essential that we remain focused throughout the whole game.” On Sunday, Augsburg will be supported by over 4,000 travelling fans who are making the trip down to the south of Munich.
Dahmen in goal, Demirović captains the side
Dahmen in goal, Demirović The FCA head coach will be spoilt for choice when selecting his squad – only Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, Masaya Okugawa and Reece Oxford are unavailable and continuing to train individually. Finn Dahmen will start in goal, as he goes into the season as the first-choice goalkeeper. Maaßen revealed: “Although Finn performed excellently in the pre-season friendlies, Tomáš Koubek is still a key figure in our team.”
FCA’s new captain is Ermedin Demirović, with Niklas Dorsch and Elvis Rexhbecaj acting as his deputies. Maaßen couldn’t have praised the trio any higher: “All three players align with the club’s values and lead by example with their performance, enthusiasm, and grit”. The new team council also includes Sven Michel, Finn Dahmen and Mads Pedersen.
