Max: “It’s crucial we play as a team”

FC Augsburg welcome Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich to the WWK ARENA this Saturday for the latest iteration of this Bavarian derby (7th April, Kick-off 15:30 CEST).  In the previous game between the two sides this season, FCA experienced first-hand how Bayern punish the smallest of errors and how important an almost perfect performance is. Manuel Baum could breathe a little easier as the current week of training went on -  Alfred Finnbogason is fit again and available for selection on Saturday. “It’s important that Alfred is back. He’s scored some crucial goals for us and is a great guy off the pitch as well,” says Philipp Max on the return of his Icelandic teammate. Kevin Danso was also able to take part in an individual training session for the first time since his injury this week, but it is still up in the air as to whether he will be able to make an appearance on the weekend. Still out remain Raphael Framberger and Kilian Jakob, who recently suffered a serious knee injury and underwent a successful operation on Thursday. Augsburg will need to utilise all their power against FC Bayern. “They play very well in every game they play and punish you if you give the ball away. They don’t seem to be complacent either, as they give their all in every single game,” warns Manuel Baum. “It’s always something special to play against Bayern Munich, because you’re up against the best. We’ve already shown in the game against Leverkusen that we can hang with the top clubs, however, and we have to replicate that sort of performance at home on the weekend,” continues Max. The fact that Bayern could secure the title in Augsburg doesn’t raise the pressure on FCA. “I look forward to every game and I’m always really driven to win. Obviously it’s always exciting when a big side comes to town, because you dream of these moments as a kid. It’s crucial that we play as a team and play as well as we did in the first half of the season against them,” adds Max. “The last few home games have not gone as we expected them to. We have to play with determination and defend our goal. However, it’s important that we don’t just hang back and let them just take the initiative, because otherwise they will overwhelm us. We can’t be afraid to go forward,” says Baum.