Thorup: “A chance of reaching the semi-finals”
DFB-Pokal quarter-final in Stuttgart
First Team
03.02.2025, 14:45
FC Augsburg will travel to play VfB Stuttgart in the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday night (20:45 CET). Jess Thorup’s team are hoping to make the semi-finals for the first time since 2010.
After drawing 1-1 away at FC St. Pauli on Saturday, FCA’s focus now switches to a different competition. “We’re looking forward to an exciting evening of cup football,” said head coach Jess Thorup. “We’ve got the chance to reach the semi-finals and it’s a fantastic opportunity.” Augsburg are currently in good form, remaining unbeaten in their last four Bundesliga games, whereas VfB Stuttgart were beaten 2-1 at home by Borussia Mönchengladbach at the weekend.
More than 4,000 FCA fans will be in attendance in Stuttgart tomorrow night. Augsburg reached this stage by winning on penalties in Karlsruhe, while VfB won 3-0 in Regensburg. “Our aim is to reach the next round and we’ll do all we can to do so,” explained Thorup, who won the Danish cup as both a player and coach.
Berisha injured, Labrović to play in goal
Yusuf Kabadayi remains unavailable, as is winter signing Mergim Berisha. The striker will be out for several weeks with a thigh muscle injury. Henri Koudossou is making good progress on his return to full fitness but isn’t an option yet. Thorup reported that Cedric Zesiger will return to the squad.
Nediljko Labrović will replace Finn Dahmen in goal after Dahmen had started all three Pokal games this season. “I fully trust Nedo,” stressed Thorup, who added that his team will be prepared for penalties again. “We have practiced them, just like we did before our last cup ties.”
