Baum: “Every game has a different story attached”
FCA away in Frankfurt
First Team
11.12.2025, 15:45
FC Augsburg travel to face seventh-placed Eintracht Frankfurt for their final away game of the year on Saturday afternoon (15:30 CET). Around 1,600 FCA fans are expected to make the trip to support the team at the Deutsche-Bank Park.
At his pre-game press conference, interim head coach Manuel Baum said “Every game has a different story attached.” FCA will head into Saturday’s clash with the Eagles with the confidence won during their 2-0 home win against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, while Frankfurt have lost both their last two matches in all competitions (6-0 in Leipzig, 2-1 at FC Barcelona). “We consider all these things during our preparations and when coming up with our strategy,” said Baum. However, the coach added that all this work is centred around the key question of “How can we manage to win the game?”
Baum watched and enjoyed Frankfurt’s most recent match in Barcelona, but added that he “didn’t draw much from it that would affect the game on the weekend.” What matters most to FCA’s interim head coach is how his side will be able to create chances of their own, whether that’s by “winning possession, one-on-ones or building out from the back.” At the same time, Baum cautioned his team about Frankfurt’s dangerous attack. “They often make deep runs and try to find ways in behind the backline,” he said. Baum also mentioned that he was pleased with what he’s seen from his side in training this week, having been able to “go into more detail in several areas.”
Gharbi available again
Baum wouldn’t reveal whether there would be any changes to the matchday squad, but confirmed that Keven Schlotterbeck will once again captain the side this weekend. With the exception of Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, every other player is available to feature. That includes Ismaël Gharbi, who has returned from the FIFA Arab Cup following Tunisia’s elimination from the competition. “We’ve got some difficult decisions to make,” said the 46-year-old.
Come next week, FCA will have to do without Gharbi, Samuel Essende and Elias Saad, as the trio head off to represent their respective countries at the Africa Cup of Nations. As a result, they will miss the final match of the year against SV Werder Bremen.
