Strobl: “We will play with confidence”
Hahn tests positive for Covid-19 ahead of the Hoffenheim game
First Team
06.12.2020, 13:42
FC Augsburg will travel to face TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Monday night to conclude matchday 10 in the Bundesliga (20:30 CET). Tobias Strobl is hoping to pick up a win on his return to his former club, while André Hahn will not make the trip to Sinsheim.
André Hahn, along with Daniel Caligiuri and Ruben Vargas, is Augsburg’s top goalscorer this season with three goals. However, the attacker will not be involved on Monday after testing positive for Covid-19. He has no symptoms and is currently in quarantine at home. All other tests for the first team and the coaching staff came back negative.
The game in Sinsheim will come too early for Alfred Finnbogason (ankle injury), but Raphael Framberger is available again after suspension. “He had a few good games before,” said coach Heiko Herrlich about the right-back, before adding: “I’m pleased that he’s back.” Marco Richter, who had a cold during the week, is also an option.
Herrlich: “We want to throw everything at them”
Hoffenheim are three points behind FCA and currently on a seven-game wait for a win (D3, L4). “They are better than their position in the table suggests,” warned Herrlich, who hasn’t forgotten their 4-1 win over Bayern on matchday 2. “They sat the bar high for themselves with that win. Since then, they’ve had problems with injured players, which must not be forgotten.”
Sebastian Hoeneß’s side have been impressive in the Europa League though. After drawing 0-0 with Red Star Belgrade on Thursday, they have already won their group. “They will definitely want to win their home game, but we will throw everything at them”, revealed Herrlich.
Strobl’s return to TSG: “It’s in the past”
Tobias Strobl is optimistic ahead of the game against Hoffenheim. “We will play with confidence and try to bring our strengths onto the pitch. If we manage that, I’m sure we will leave with the three points.”
The 30-year-old’s breakthrough as a professional player came at Hoffenheim, spending four years there between 2011 and 2016 (also spent time on loan at Köln). “I have some great memories of my time there and I’m thankful that they gave me a chance back then,” commented Strobl. “Nevertheless, this is in the past and I’m playing for FC Augsburg now, so I want to win Monday’s game.”
