Baum: "It will be an exciting game"
FCA face a stiff challenge away in Leverkusen
First Team
16.04.2026, 15:30
FC Augsburg travel to face Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Saturday afternoon (15:30 CEST). The Fuggerstädter are in 10th place with 33 points ahead of Bundesliga matchday 30, while the Werkself remain in the running for a Champions League spot (52 points, 5th).
FCA will have fond memories of the meeting earlier this season, as they ran out 2-0 winners at the WWK Arena. It also marked Manuel Baum's first match back in the dugout for the club, following his return to Augsburg. The 46-year-old is now once again expecting an intense match, in what will be his 100th Bundesliga game as FCA head coach : "It will be an exciting game against one of the league's top teams, who have recently regained their form."
Most recently, Leverkusen won 1-0 away at Borussia Dortmund, handing them only their third defeat of the season. FCA, meanwhile, picked up a point in a 2-2 draw against TSG Hoffenheim. "We know what we're up against," Baum said about the opponent's attacking qualities. "They have what it takes to play at an incredibly high intensity."
Gouweleeuw a doubt for this weekend
Questions remain as to whether Jeffrey Gouweleeuw will be able to feature this weekend or not. The Dutchman made his return to the starting line-up against Hoffenheim, but picked up a knock to the knee that kept him from taking part in training on Thursday. Chrislain Matsima, who continues to make good progress following his injury, is also not yet ready to return to the squad. The aim is to have him back in time for the home game against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Baum believes that his side are well-positioned to tackle the season run-in. "We have a great spirit within the team at the moment. I can tell in training that everyone wants to play and that they're giving it everything they have," the 46-year-old shared.
