Thorup: “Turn our attentions to the task at hand”
Looking for redemption in Mainz
First Team
06.02.2025, 15:15
Head coach Jess Thorup wants to make back the points lost in an eventful reverse fixture against 1. FSV Mainz 05 last September, in which FC Augsburg fell to a 3-2 defeat. FCA travel for their Bundesliga matchday 21 clash away to Mainz just a few days after being knocked out of the DFB-Pokal by Stuttgart (1-0).
Confidence will be key for FC Augsburg’s trip to the MEWA Arena on Saturday (kick-off 15:30 CET). The Fuggerstädter will not only need to channel recent league form once again but also look to the positives of the cup exit away to VfB Stuttgart. The Danish head coach places particular emphasis on the good organisation within his team of late, especially in defence: “We’ve only conceded three goals across the last five league games, which is very good to see. We just need to create more up top,” said the 54-year-old at the press conference ahead of the upcoming visit to Mainz.
“The cup tie in Stuttgart was obviously bitterly disappointing but now we need to turn our attentions to the task at hand in Mainz,” accentuated the coach, who is expecting a full throttle affair, full of direct duels. Therefore, he demands nothing less than 100% effort from his team in order make up for defeat in the reverse fixture at the WWK ARENA. “We should have won our first meeting of the season with Mainz. We were lacking in a few departments that day and need to make amends this weekend by getting the win,” stated Thorup. Mainz, who currently sit sixth in the league standings with a five-point advantage over FCA, have won each of their last five home games.
Giannoulis suspended
Dimitrios Giannoulis picked up his sixth yellow card of the season against St. Pauli and will therefore be absent for this clash. Mads Pedersen is the likely replacement and is ready to fill in. There is bad news concerning Robert Gumny, who will be out of action for some weeks after sustaining an adductor muscle injury. Mergim Berisha is another on the mend. He is currently in rehabilitation following a thigh muscle injury.
Henri Koudossou remains a doubt for the trip to Mainz, so Steve Mounié could make his return to the squad. Marius Wolf is also available despite having to come off with a knock against Stuttgart.
Thorup has also praised Mert Kömür for his recent displays: “He has developed really well and we are constantly analysing when the right time would be to begin playing him from the start of matches.”
