Baum: “Heading into the first round with big ambitions”
2026/27 season begins in Cottbus
First Team
20.08.2026, 15:30
FC Augsburg begin their competitive campaign on Saturday (13:00 CEST), when they travel to newly promoted 2. Bundesliga side Energie Cottbus in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. After almost six weeks of pre-season, the Fuggerstädter are raring to get the new season under way.
Ahead of the game, head coach Manuel Baum stressed that a change in focus is now required: “We need to switch out of friendly mode and into competitive mode.” Although the result in the recent game away to Leeds United was not what FCA had hoped for, it provided some important pointers for the work still to be done. In particular, Augsburg identified areas for improvement in their defensive play and decision-making.
For Baum, the cup opener will be an important first test. “Everyone is desperate to get out there and compete against other teams in a competitive setting,” said the FCA head coach. Augsburg’s intentions are therefore clear, with ambitions that “couldn’t be higher” as they head into the DFB-Pokal, while still taking things “step by step”.
Video: Pressekonferenz vor dem Pokalspiel in Cottbus
Cottbus already up and running in the league
Energie Cottbus will provide a tough opening test. “Cottbus are a really good team with good players and an incredibly experienced coach,” said Baum. Claus-Dieter Wollitz’s side already have two 2. Bundesliga games under their belts. They opened with a 3-1 win over Hannover 96 before losing 3-0 away to Arminia Bielefeld last time out.
FCA’s preparations this week have also shown just how seriously they are taking the trip to Cottbus. According to Baum, the team have “prepared in exactly the same way as we would for a Bundesliga game”. Alongside their tactical work, Augsburg have also prepared for specific match situations. The players practised penalties, while the coaching staff even played recordings of fan chants during training to recreate some of the atmosphere they can expect in Cottbus.
FCA will be without four players for their first competitive game of the season, with Alexis Claude-Maurice, Tim Breithaupt, Sima Suso and Steve Mounié all unavailable to face Energie. Around 1,300 Augsburg supporters will make the trip to back the team.
