Baum „We want to get to the semi-finals with the fans right behind us“

Augsburg face RB Leipzig in the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal, with FCA hoping to qualify for the semi-finals when they play in front of their fans on Tuesday the 2^nd of April (20:45 CEST). Despite the 3-0 loss in Nuremberg, Manuel Baum is confident about the DFB-Pokal quarter-final clash. After the work the team have done in preparation for the game, the boys are ready for Leipzig. “Of course we weren’t happy with the performance in Nuremburg, but we won’t fall apart because of it. We did manage to gain seven points from the three games before that. We have to put that result behind us and look forward to the game against Leipzig.” Augsburg have already met Leipzig twice this season, with both games ending 0-0. On Tuesday evening, however, there will be definitely be a winner. Manuel Baum wants his team to be the victors this for this third and final meeting between these two this season. “If you take part in the Pokal then you obviously want to win it. We want to get to the semi-finals with the fans right behind us.” The opponents will not be easy and Manuel Baum is aware of Leipzig’s strengths. “They have a clear game plan which the whole team adheres to. They have incredible pace and make a lot of deep runs. They have the creativity that you need in the centre of the park and are probably the best team in the league for Gegenpressing.” Full concentration on the Pokal Manuel Baum is not yet thinking about the game against Hoffenheim and will not rest any players for the Bundesliga match. Only Julian Schieber and Rafael Framberger are certain to be unavailable, while Dong-Won Ji, Jonathan Schmid, Felix Götze and Reece Oxford are all doubts. “I can’t say exactly who will play, it will depend on who is fit and who’s best for our game plan. The players have enough time to rest before Sunday.”