Baum: “Motivation enough to do better"
FCA away in Leipzig
First Team
05.03.2026, 14:40
FC Augsburg are set for a run of two tough away games in the Bundesliga, the first of which will take Manuel Baum’s side to RB Leipzig on Saturday afternoon (15:30 CEST).
Having collected five wins from their last six matches, Augsburg will take plenty of confidence with them to Leipzig. For the head coach, the match represents an opportunity to banish the memories of the heavy 6-0 defeat his side suffered at home against the Red Bulls earlier this season “Everyone remembers the result from the reverse fixture,” Baum said. “That’s motivation enough to want to do better in Leipzig this time around, ideally by winning the match.”
Following their 2-0 win over Köln last weekend, FCA were able to move up to ninth in the standings. For Baum, however, this isn’t something he’s focused on. “I’m not overly concerned with the table – we’re only focused on our next game.” His side are now set to come up against a tough opponent, who Baum described as being “variable, with an intense style of play and a lot of individual quality that we will need to keep under control.” At the same time, Baum highlighted his side’s performances against some of the top teams of late, adding “We showed that we’re capable of doing so in the games against Bayern and Leverkusen.”
Chaves to replace Zesiger
Baum will need to make a couple of adjustments to his backline, with Jeffrey Gouweleeuw and Chrislain Matsima still sidelined and Cédric Zesiger suspended this weekend. Arthur Chaves will replace the Swiss defender in the starting line-up. FCA will also be without Yannik Keitel (bursitis), as well as new signing Uchenna Ogundu, who suffered an ankle ligament tear in training.
Saturday’s match will also be of personal significance for Baum, who spent two years as head of youth development at RBL. “I’m looking forward to a reunion,” Baum said. The match against RBL will also mark his 100th competitive game as FCA head coach.
