Baum: “We’re all desperate to stay up”

Following FC Augsburg's 3-0 defeat away at FC Schalke on matchday 24, head coach Manuel Baum is looking ahead to the upcoming home game. FC Augsburg will host SC Freiburg at the WWK ARENA on Saturday, 18th March (15:30 CET). "We are fully aware of the current situation but we are not surprised by it. We are only looking at ourselves even when other clubs are picking up points," explained Manuel Baum. "I am absolutely confident that we will stay up and am putting everything into making sure we achieve our goal," emphasised a bullish Baum. FCA are expecting a "hard-working and technical team that is very versatile and plays with high intensity" in SCF head coach Christian Streich's team, according to the FCA head coach. For FCA veteran Halil Altintop, the unity and confidence in the team is crucial to being successful. "I can sense the massive determination that we have in the dressing room. We believe in our own strengths." Halil Altintop also sees the mix of experienced and young players as another advantage for FCA in the battle to stay up. "The young players in the team are hugely enriching us both in terms of their football and character. However experience plays just as important a role as well." Yet the team's thoughts also have to manifest themselves on the pitch and Manuel Baum is looking forward to a full WWK ARENA on Saturday. "The atmosphere during the game against Leipzig really impressed me and support like that obviously will help our team to get the points we need to stay up." For the last few home games of the season, FC Augsburg is going by the motto "Augsburg stand together". In the spirit of that motto, the volunteers who helped with the recent evacuation following the discovery of an unexploded bomb from World War Two have been invited to watch the match at the stadium. Manuel Baum would not reveal anything on the personnel situation. "Daniel Baier will still not be available for Saturday and we are yet to decide on Raul Bobadilla, Alfred Finnbogason, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, Paul Verhaegh and Jan Moravek. We'll have to wait and see until after the final training session."