Maaßen: "We've got the opportunity to pull away"
The FCA head coach spoke to the media before the match against Bochum
First Team
11.11.2022, 14:06
Only one final 90 minutes remains until the Bundesliga break up for the winter break, which is early this year. FC Augsburg want to provide a positive end to the year in their game against VfL Bochum on Saturday afternoon (15:30 CEST).
The game against the Bundesliga’s seventeenth placed team from Bochum, who beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-1 midweek, was called an “important game” by FCA head coach Enrico Maaßen. At the same time, the 38-year-old added, “Every game in the Bundesliga is important, the point at Union Berlin was also very important.” On Wednesday, FCA managed to come from behind twice at the Alte Försterei and record their third draw of the season.
“Bochum want to gain ground from beneath us, but we have the opportunity to pull away,” said Maaßen on the state of the state. FCA sit in 14th before matchday 15, with five points separating the Red-Green-Whites from the immediate relegation zone, currently occupied by Bochum. Under Thomas Letsch, who replaced promotion-winning Thomas Reis (now at Schalke), Bochum are looking on the up, something that did not go unnoticed by Maaßen: "They press very high, have a good transitional game and look to head straight for goal.”
Berisha questionable
In the last home match of the year, Maaßen will again be without the services of Mads Pedersen (muscular problems) and Raphael Framberger (cut above the knee), while Mergim Berisha is a doubt. The 24-year-old attacker injured his left thigh away at Union and had to be substituted after the half an hour mark. "As of now, he is not playing," explained Maaßen, who still needs to assess the final training session.
Otherwise, the FCA head coach has the same squad at his disposal as the last game – and his players are very focused despite the short turnaround: "We want to win the game at all costs, you can see that in the lads’ attitude”. Against Bochum, it will mainly be a question of getting the basics right, such as aggressiveness and tackling, but you also need to be responsible in possession, Maaßen continued. Full focus is therefore the motto!
