Baum excited for DFB-Pokal clash with Holstein Kiel

After securing a 3-0 at home to Mainz on Sunday, FC Augsburg travel to face Holstein Kiel in the DFB-Pokal round of sixteen (Wednesday, 6th Feburary: 18:30 CET). The team head to Northern Germany with a lot of confidence. “We are excited for our DFB-Pokal clash and want to reach the next round,” said Manuel Baum ahead of the match. However, the FCA head coach has a lot of respect for the upcoming 2. Bundesliga opponents. “Kiel are a very ambitious side and we have intensively looked into what they will provide as opponents tomorrow night.” The ‘Störche’ are currently fifth in the second tier and were almost promoted into the Bundesliga last season, losing a relegation play-off to VfL Wolfsburg. So far this season, Holstein Kiel have defeated TSV 1860 München (3-1) and SC Freiburg (2-1) to qualify for the DFB-Pokal round of sixteen. Baum forced to make changes for DFB-Pokal tie Following Sunday’s victory against Mainz, Baum admitted that he would be forced into changes for the cup tie in Kiel. “We will certainly make one or two changes for the match in Kiel. Sunday's match took up a lot of energy and it was an intense contest. As you saw on Sunday, we covered five kilometres more than our opponents.” Alongside Kilian Jakob, Raphael Framberger, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, Julian Schieber and Felix Schwarzholz, FCA goalkeeper Andreas Luthe will miss the trip to Kiel with a knee problem. Fabian Giefer is also a doubt for the match and the team will see on Tuesday, whether the goalkeeper is fit to travel. Baum has a lot of respect for Wednesday’s opponents but his team have regained some self-confidence following Sunday’s 3-0 win. “The manner in which we defeated Mainz was very important. We are now excited for our DFB-Pokal clash and want to reach the next round. As the Bundesliga side in this clash, our task is to avoid an upset against second tier opposition.”