Thorup: "Carry our confidence into the Wolfsburg game"
FCA seek a fourth consecutive Bundesliga win
First Team
14.03.2024, 15:30
FC Augsburg’s 26th Bundesliga matchday of the season will see them visit VfL Wolfsburg. The Red-Green-Whites have won three consecutive Bundesliga games for the first time since 2022 – an opportunity to match a club record is now on the horizon for Saturday (15:30 CET).
The 1-0 win against Heidenheim last time out was, in the eyes of head coach Jess Thorup, a typically competitive clash: “We defended very well, gave away almost no chances and scored from a set piece.” His side’s third win in a row moved them up to ninth in the table, but according to Thorup, that is no cause for complacency. “It’s a whole new game – anything could happen! We want to carry our confidence into the Wolfsburg game and come away with a positive result,” said the Dane.
Augsburg have only won four Bundesliga games on the bounce on one occasion, between November and December 2014. Thorup knows that “wins breed confidence. You can see that on the pitch and also in the dressing room.” The FCA head coach described his team’s upcoming opponents as “a highly-motivated team who know what it’s all about,” going on to say: “It will be a tight game, but we’re in a good rhythm and we want to make the most of that.”
Pedersen ready for a return
Niko Kovac’s side currently lie in 13th place and have managed just six points from their last ten games – the Wolves are without a win in the last three months. Thorup, though, remains wary of the threat Wolfsburg pose: “Wolfsburg have a lot of quality in their ranks.” The 54-year-old will once again be relying on a strong defensive display after FCA won their last two games without reply. “That’s not just a job for the goalkeeper, but for the defence and the rest of the team as well,” said Thorup.
After a three-game suspension, Mads Pedersen is ready for Saturday’s game. Kevin Mbabu is back in training, and Patric Pfeiffer is in line to return to full training next week. Niklas Dorsch, however, is currently out with a foot problem, though the 26-year-old midfielder will be targeting a return to the team in the coming days. After this weekend’s games, the Bundesliga will take a short break for the March internationals – FCA will return on Easter Sunday (15:30 CEST) to take on 1. FC Köln.
