Thorup: "Show the FC Augsburg DNA on the pitch”
Stuttgart visit the WWK ARENA
First Team
10.01.2025, 15:00
2025 kicks off for FC Augsburg with a home match against VfB Stuttgart at the WWK ARENA on Sunday (17:30 CET). FCA head coach Jess Thorup is hoping to see a reaction from his side to make a positive start to the new year.
Augsburg went into the winter break off the back of a painful 5-1 defeat at Holstein Kiel. “We were all very disappointed and critical of ourselves,” said Thorup at his press conference ahead of the Stuttgart clash. The defeat has been digested, though, and his team’s focus is now on these opening fixtures of 2025, looking to start strong and take each game as it comes.
Continue strong home form
“We need to show the FC Augsburg DNA on the pitch – passion, strength, and commitment. If we can do that, then we’re on our way to picking up points,” insisted Thorup, who is anticipating more great support from the home fans at the WWK ARENA. The Fuggerstädter have only suffered defeats at home to Mainz 05 (3-2) and Bayer Leverkusen (2-0) so far this season, so it’s about building on that solid home record in the new year.
A new pitch has been laid at the stadium just in time for the visit of Stuttgart, and Thorup is happy to have it in place: “I hope that we will get the chance to train on it once more before the game, but the most important thing is that it’s ready for a great game on Sunday.”
Reunion with Ermedin Demirović
This weekend sees last season’s runners-up travel to Augsburg, as well as a familiar face. “Despite VfB’s high quality, I have 100 percent faith in our team,” stressed Thorup, who is also looking forward to seeing his old captain Ermedin Demirović: “We know him and his strengths, and we’re ready to face him.”
Keven Schlotterbeck is on the road to recovery but isn’t an option for the coach against VfB. Yusuf Kabadayi, Mads Pedersen, and Masaya Okugawa also remain sidelined.
