Weinzierl: “We want to win in front of the fans”
FCA fancy themselves as outsiders vs. Leverkusen
First Team
26.08.2021, 15:50
FCA head coach Markus Weinzierl and midfielder Ruben Vargas are feeling motivated ahead of the match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Saturday 28th August (kick-off 15:30). Whilst they are aware that they are outsiders for this game, they still want to pick up three points at home with their fans behind them.
“For us, it’s about developing with each game,” Augsburg head coach Markus Weinzierl compared last week’s 0-0 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt with the upcoming fixture against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. “We kept a clean sheet and were strong defensively in the last game,” the 46-year-old praised this aspect of his team’s performance. “Now we want to improve in the attacking phase and score more goals.”
FC Augsburg are yet to register a win against Leverkusen (D7, L13). “Leverkusen are a quality side, very compact and aggressive. We’re facing a team which has a lot of good players, particularly in attack. They also tactically sound and have a good head coach,” commented Weinzierl. “We know that we are outsiders, but we are comfortable playing this role.” He adds how he thinks his side can come away with something from the game: “We need more possession and to be calmer. Overall, we need to believe in ourselves more and we need a better structure. We’ll give it our absolute all and work as a team, and our aim is for three home points.”
Florian Niederlechner is back in team training following his collision with Martin Hinteregger in Frankfurt last Saturday, and Sergio Córdova and Finnbogasson have also returned. However, Weinzierl must continue to be without Jeffrey Gouweleeuw (adductor problem) and Jan Morávek (muscular injury). However, he remains convinced: “We will have 20 highly-motivated players in the squad who are ready to fight against Leverkusen”.
Vargas: “We need to step it up in attack”
Ruben Vargas is in agreement with head coach Weinzierl: “The whole team knows we need to step it up a notch in attack, and I too am aware of this. I know what my job on the pitch is and on what my performance will be measured. I try to help the team as best as possible, and I include my defensive responsibilities in that.”
There are still tickets up for sale for Saturday’s match. Weinzierl emphasised the importance of spectators: “It’s important that fans come along, because we need them, and they support us in decisive moments. We want to give 110 per cent and we hope to please our fans. With them behind us, we absolutely want to win.”
