Schmidt: “We want to take the next step on Friday”

After a record 6-0 win against VfB Stuttgart, FC Augsburg are focused on their next home game. Augsburg are looking for their first Bundesliga win against Bayer Leverkusen, as a victory on Friday 26^th April (20:30 CEST) would also ensure that the club are staying up for next season. Martin Schmidt’s first few weeks at Augsburg could not have gotten off to a better start. His side picked up valuable points in a 3-1 win against Frankfurt, and then set a new club record with their 6-0 victory over Stuttgart. Augsburg now have a ten point gap between themselves and the relegation zone. But, head coach Martin Schmidt is not ready to take things easy just yet. “We shouldn’t speak of goals we have yet to meet as long as we are not yet guaranteed to stay up. The level of excitement on the training ground is the same as before, the players have a positive mindset, and now we want to take the next step on Friday,” Schmidt said. Making good on staying up with a win against Leverkusen Friday night gives Augsburg a chance to guarantee themselves a spot in the Bundesliga for next season. Augsburg are heading into their next match full of self-confidence, having put the high-scoring match against Stuttgart out of their minds. “We’re expecting a tough game against Leverkusen, similar to what we faced in Frankfurt,” Schmidt said. Leverkusen are dangerous thanks to a quick counter-attack, and are strong in front of the net as well as fast down the wings. Augsburg have never won against Leverkusen, which Martin Schmidt doesn’t see as a disadvantage. “I love challenges like that. No one had managed to win against Frankfurt, until us. If everyone believes we can win, then we can decide the game in our favour.”