Thorup: “It will be hard work”
Home game against last-placed Bochum
First Team
28.11.2024, 15:05
FC Augsburg host VfL Bochum at the WWK Arena on Saturday afternoon (15:30 CET). FCA are looking to continue their good form at home, but head coach Jess Thorup is expecting a real battle against the team currently in last place.
“We know how important this game is,” said FCA head coach Jess Thorup. Augsburg are currently unbeaten in their last four home games and are now hoping to secure their first victory at the WWK Arena against Bochum in the Bundesliga. “It will be hard work,” acknowledged the Dane, who is hoping his team can control the game. “We know what our strengths are and we’re excited to play in front of our amazing fans again. Nevertheless, we cannot afford to underestimate Bochum, it will be far from easy,” he added.
“They’ve improved massively in defence in recent games,” praised Thorup, referring to VfL’s 1-1 draw with Bayer 04 Leverkusen and 2-0 defeat at VfB Stuttgart under new coach Dieter Hecking. The FCA boss is also satisfied with the improvement of his back line. However, the focus this week in training has been on play with the ball and the attacking side of FCA’s game. While Bochum are rock bottom on just two points, Augsburg are in 14th with 12 points to their name.
Schlotterbeck and Giannoulis unavailable
Keven Schlotterbeck is suspended against his former club after his red card in the 3-0 defeat in Munich. Thorup will definitely also be without Robert Gumny after the defender suffered a muscle injury in the hip region while warming up for the U23s last week. Dimitrios Giannoulis is also out with an adductor problem – he could be replaced by Mads Pedersen or Henri Koudossou.
After missing the game against Bayern, Kristijan Jakić is fit again. Academy product Noahkai Banks will also make the squad. “He’s constantly got better in the last few weeks and months and has been impressive,” said Thorup on the 17-year-old centre-back.
