Maaßen: "We need our best performance possible"
Derby against Bayern awaits
First Team
15.09.2022, 15:30
On Saturday, 17th September (15:30 CEST), the WWK Arena is set to host the Bavarian derby, between FC Augsburg and FC Bayern München. In front of a sold out ground, FCA coach Enrico Maaßen will be looking to frustrate the local rivals from the state capital once again.
In the second half of last season, the Fuggerstädter suffered a 5-2 loss to Bayern, but the home fixture in November 2021 saw a sensational 2-1 win for FCA, with goals coming from Mads Pedersen and Andre Hahn. “We need our best possible performance in order to get something from this game. But we are looking forward to competing with one of the very best sides.”
The Red-Green-Whites came out 1-0 victors against newly-promoted SV Werder Bremen last matchday, a game where the emotions ran high – and Maaßen is expecting a similar, if not stronger feeling against the Bundesliga champions: “We need to be resilient, because Bayern are going to a lot of the ball,” the 38-year-old said, who does though have a clear plan in mind. “We’re going to need to use transitions effectively and purposefully,” he commented.
Formation undecided, Demirović fit
Away at Werder, Maaßen deployed Ermedin Demirović, Mergim Berisha, Andre Hahn and Florian Niederlechner as the four attackers, while also using a back four for the first time this season. Whether or not he will use the same system against Bayern remains to be seen. Demirović has been passed fit once again, however – the new arrival, who struck the winner against Werder, took a slight knock at the start of the week.
Maaßen does not believe that Bayern will rotate too heavily after their 2-0 Champions League victory against Barcelona, given the game is immediately followed by the first international berak of the season. The record champions are currently “only” third in the table, due to three consecutive league draws for Julian Nagelsmann’s side. The FCA coach is looking forward to meeting Nagelsmann for the first time, adding: “Julian is very innovative and has had a great career.” Maaßen is third youngest head coach in the Bundesliga, behind Werder’s Ole Werner (34) and Nagelsmann (35).
