Baum: “We know what we are working for”

The FCA players are already halfway through their preparations for the 2017/18 season. Another three weeks of hard an intense work are still to come before the first round of the DFB Cup against FC Magdeburg on Sunday, 13^th August (18:30 CEST). Head Manuel Baum took the opportunity to speak to address a number of different things in front of the media. … on the contract extensions: “Obviously it is fantastic when you don’t just have new players at such an early point, but also extending the contact of players who are extremely important pillars of the team. I’m really happy about that!” … on Daniel Baier: “He has already done an unbelievable amount at Augsburg and achieved so much with the club. It is important to also have experienced players in a team and Daniel Baier really is a leader. But he doesn’t just bring experience, he also has a lot of quality!” … on how pre-season is going: “We have come very far in terms of fitness, now it is about putting in the final touches tactically. You could see in the friendlies at the weekend that there are still a few issues. We now want to work on those and build on that.”

I was there for the Europa League away game in Alkmaar and to see how the fans were singing shows you what you are working for! - Manuel Baum

… on the new signings: “I am not surprised by what they have shown us so far because we had been observing them for a  long time and know what they can do. They are all great characters and top professionals. It is thoroughly enjoyable to work with them.” … on the trip to England: “I am personally really looking forward to it. I have been to England on holiday before but I have never been to a stadium there. We will be facing a good opponent in a friendly and can also combine it with a small training camp. I fundamentally thing that having two training camps is sensible, one at the very beginning where you can work on your athleticism and tactics are more of a side note, and another in which you can discuss the finer details. That, combined with two matches, is fantastic!” … on his experience of foreign stadiums: “I was there for the Europa League away game in Alkmaar. That really was an experience for me! To sit on the bus with the fans afterwards and to see how they sing was important to me as it was a chance to see the other side of things. From that, we know what we are working for!”