Thorup: “Expecting an electric atmosphere”

On Saturday, FC Augsburg make the trip to Hamburg, where an in-form FC St. Pauli side awaits. Nevertheless, the visitors will have sights set on continuing their own hot streak (kick-off 15:30 CET).

Both teams come into the contest brimming with confidence off the back of recent good form. FCA have won each of their last three matches, while St. Pauli have impressively dispatched of both Heidenheim (2-0) and Union Berlin (3-0) of late. Augsburg will not only be aiming to keep their successful run going but also ensure that the side currently a place below them in the standings remains at arm’s length. “We have full focus on the match away to St. Pauli,” stressed Thorup in his press conference ahead of the game.

The contest will be a special one for the Danish coach since it will see him reach the milestone of 50 games in charge of FCA. He will not be short on support either as 3,000 Augsburg fans are set to head north to cheer on their team from a sold-out away section at the Millerntor.

“A level contest” expected

Thorup reckons a hard-fought clash awaits his side, up against a St. Pauli team who boast the second-best defence in the league. “It should be a level contest,” according to the FCA head coach, but his players will nevertheless head to Hamburg with wind in their sails. “We will obviously approach the game with confidence off the back of three straight wins but we must not become complacent.”

His team will have to continue to work hard in order to profit for as long as possible from the momentum they are currently harbouring. “We have been doing the basics well of late while also giving an improved attacking display. It is also good to see that we possess a variety of potential routes to goal, whether via set-pieces or in transition or from open play.”

Berisha provides new option

The situation within the squad is a good one for FCA at the moment, with nearly all players fit and firing. The only definitive exception is Yusuf Kabadayi, who remains sidelined. Otherwise, Kristijan Jakić has been able to complete the majority of the week’s team training sessions after he missed the Heidenheim game due to muscle tightness. A decision will also be made nearer the game on whether Cédric Zesiger and Henri Koudossou are able to feature.

Thorup is especially pleased with the development of the younger players: “We want to continue to support our young talents who provide healthy competition within the team.” The coach utilised a total of 19 different players over the course of the recent busy week that included a midweek fixture. The return of Mergim Berisha to the club also provides a further attacking option, while Maximilian Bauer has left the club to join FC Kaiserslautern on loan.

New officiating initiative to be piloted

A potential rather notable feature of the game at the Millerntor may be the first use of a new communication system which is to be brought into operation in the hope of providing further clarity regarding refereeing decisions. These decisions will be explained over the stadium’s announce system in specific game situations. The match in Hamburg is one of five over the weekend in which this new project, established by the DFL Commission for Football, is to be piloted.