With Martin Schmidt in 2019, only a new FC Augsburg coach celebrated two victories when he took office. Jess Thorup wants to do the same after the 5-2 win in Heidenheim on Saturday against VfL Wolfsburg.
Wants to follow up with FCA against Wolfsburg: Jess Thorup. IMAGO/Warrior
The 53-year-old Dane said the decisive sentence towards the end of the press conference on Thursday afternoon: “We want to show that it wasn’t just a single game.” That means: build on the win against Heidenheim and improve. The way he performed last Sunday encouraged him. Thorup listed: five goals away from home by five different scorers, the first goal after a counterattack this season. All of this after a 2-0 deficit and with the offensive mindset – apparently the coach’s favorite expression – not only to defend after the 3-2 lead, but to continue to look for the way forward.
However, that doesn’t mean Thorup is neglecting defense. “Hopefully we can keep a clean sheet for the first time,” he says, knowing the statistics according to which FCA have not managed to do this in the last eleven Bundesliga games and have suffered 27 goals. No wonder there haven’t been two wins in a row in 2023.
Thorup only has to do without ex-Wolfsburg player Kevin Mbabu, for whom a game comes too early after a groin injury. Ruben Vargas returns to the squad on Saturday (3:30 p.m., LIVE! on kicker) against VfL, against whom there was one win and two draws for Augsburg in the most recent three comparisons. Is he planning any changes to the team that won in Heidenheim? “Normally I would say: Never change a winning team,” Thorup replies, but puts that aside: “On the other hand, I have 30 players in the squad and have to try to leave everything open so that everyone believes in their chance Players try to show me their potential and there is a lot of potential.”
Jensen’s rise under Thorup: “A super smart player”
Fredrik Jensen, who was rarely considered under Enrico Maaßen and prepared three goals on the right wing in Heidenheim, should have his place secure. “He’s a super smart player who can play almost all positions, preferably in the center. But he can help us on the outside, did very well in Heidenheim, a great game from him.”
Thorup preaches the path of small steps at the beginning. “I know what victories mean, they bring self-confidence and belief.” VfL Wolfsburg should feel this, because Thorup also says: “Hopefully we can look up the table soon.”
2023-10-26 12:51:35
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