Wagner: "It will be a tough battle"
First-round cup match at Hallescher FC
First Team
15.08.2025, 15:25
FC Augsburg will get the 2025/26 competitive season underway on Sunday evening (18:00 CEST), as they face Regionalliga side Hallescher FC in the opening round of the DFB-Pokal.
"The last weeks have been intense and the lads are glad that the season is now getting started. This past week was all about taking a closer look at Halle," said head coach Sandro Wagner. FCA's upcoming opponents have started the season strongly, having taken maximum points from their first three matches in the Regionalliga Nordost, scoring seven times and conceding just once. "We're heading to Halle feeling well-prepared and with a healthy amount of respect, but we're also confident that we will win on Sunday. We want to take it game by game, especially in the cup," said Wagner.
Having reached the quarter-finals last season, FCA will be hoping to build on this successful run. Wagner, who lifted the DFB-Pokal twice during his playing career, sees the match against HFC as a welcome challenge for his side. "I like the way they play football in the east of Germany and the atmosphere in the stadiums. Every game is hard-fought and passionate. I'm really looking forward to it – it will be a tough battle," the head coach said. A total of 1,400 fans are expected to make the trip to Halle to support FCA, with the club having sold out its away contingent at the Leuna-Chemie-Stadion.
Gouweleeuw available to play
Captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw will be available for selection again after having undergone surgery on his hand. However, Wagner will be without attacker Alexis Claude-Maurice, who remains sidelined with a knock. "It will take a few more days before he's back," Wagner shared. As expected, first-choice goalkeeper Finn Dahmen will start between the sticks.
