FC Augsburg win was much needed
- Chuck Smith
- Feb 4, 2019
- 4 min read
The 2018-2019 season has not quite lived up to expectations for FC Augsburg.
With a roster that has a heavy top end of talent, but does have a solid overall core group, Manuel Baum's squad has not performed to its capability.
Featuring Icelandic goal machine Alfred Finnbogason, Die Fuggerstädter has a legitimate top-end scorer leading its offensive attack. Finnbogason, who has battled injuries in his time with Augsburg, has 10 goals and three assists in 14 games across all competitions this season and is a bonafide threat whenever he is on the field.
Unfortunately for Augsburg, the complimentary parts of the attack have not been able to help create consistent scoring chances. 24-year-old Austrian forward Michael Gregoritsch has not been as impactful as last season and Philipp Max has not yet been able to muster the creative magic he put on full display in last season's campaign. Max, specifically, needs to find a way to drive more production as his vision and passing ability are big components to Augsburg being a consistent offensive threat.
The unfortunate results for 2018-2019 have placed Die Fuggerstädter in a hole, but Saturday's 3-0 victory over Mainz could be just the jolt that Augsburg needs to change the course of its season.
Surviving this stretch
Finnbogason will be the central figure in any resurgence that Augsburg can undergo, but it won't be easy from here. In succession, Die Fuggerstädter will face off against the following opponents in the Bundesliga: Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich, SC Freiburg, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig, which represents an incredibly difficult stretch of games.
Werder Bremen is among the young-and-hungry teams making waves in the Bundesliga, while Bayern, BVB, and Leipzig represent three of the most deep, talented, and best teams in the league. While Freiburg may seem like an outlier, Breisgau-Brasilianer will be fighting for its own life in trying to avoid relegation.
Augsburg could conceivably find its buried after this run of games, which could cause more heat to fall on Baum as he tries to find a solution to this incredibly difficult position that Augsburg is in.
Baum has come under fire for the squad's under-performing play. Specifically, Baum was criticized by former defender Martin Hinteregger after last week's 2-0 loss to Borussia Monchengladbach. Hinteregger has since moved on to Eintracht Frankfurt via loan.
"I can’t say anything positive about him and also won’t say anything negative," said Hinteregger as captured by The Seattle Times.
It's that type of criticism that can leave a coach wide open to lose a team, even with Hinteregger having moved on. There is no doubt that if Baum cannot coax Augsburg to at least four or five points in this stretch of five games, it could be an early end to his season.
That said, the 39-year-old will not go down without a fight and neither will his team.
Merging veterans and youth
One of the biggest keys to Augsburg's fight will be how its young players handle the pressure of the situation. Augsburg patience for development will be test.
Aside of Finnbogason, Gregoritsch, and Max, Augsburg relies heavily on other veterans like Andre Hahn, Daniel Baier, and Jonathan Schmid. A knee injury to Caiuby in December did not help matters much either, but his late return to camp led to the club to release him and permanently take him out of the mix
It will be time for Augsburg's young players to elevate their respective games.
Felix Gotze has shown some promise after transferring to Augsburg from Bayern last summer, but will need find a way to stay healthy and build off of the good things he's done this season. Due to injuries, recovery, and time on the bench, Gotze has not played for Augsburg since November 3rd, but could be a factor down the stretch if he can remain fit.
21-year-old Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel has started the past three games in place of Andreas Luthe and could be poised to take the reins full-time if he can continue to strong together solid performances.
20-year-old defender Reece Oxford has joined Augsburg on loan from West Ham United and could play a key role in helping fortify the back line for the second half. Oxford is a player with potential, who just needs more field time to hone his skills. Perhaps this move will
A Viking spirit will be needed
Finnbogason won't just be counted out to spark the offense, but provide the leadership necessary to make this move away from the bottom of the table. It will take fortitude and resolve for the squad to fight through the upcoming stretch.
After the win over Mainz, Baum recognized the significance of the victory and how his team needed some momentum after the drama with Hinteregger
“This week was extraordinary for Augsburg,” said Baum, as captured by The Seattle Times. “When you receive not exactly positive messages from people you don’t even know, then it can be challenging to deal with it.”
Positivity, along with a continued run of success from Finnbogason will have to drive the Augsburg push for points. Despite the tough schedule, Die Fuggerstädter will need everyone and everything it can muster to survive. That includes improved performances from Max and Gregoritsch in the coming weeks.
If not, Baum and the cast of players on the roster could all be in different locales next season.
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