Bundesliga FC Augsburg on the hunt for Europe: “Positive pressure for players”
Augsburg’s Sven Michel (obscured) celebrates with the team after his goal to make it 2-0. photo
© Tom Weller/dpa
FC Augsburg is setting an example a week after the defeat against Hoffenheim. The arduous victory against Union Berlin is a statement for an international starting position.
FC Augsburg fans are already singing about Europe. Even after the tough 2-0 (0-0) draw in the Bundesliga against 1. FC Union Berlin on Friday evening, the coach and players weren’t that far. But of course the desire for an international starting place cannot be ignored by the Augsburgers.
“We will look forward to what is possible now,” said Danish coach Jess Thorup a week after the defeat against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (1:3). “For me it’s not about staying in the league, but rather the best possible position.”
“You can win a lot, win a lot”
The Augsburg team temporarily reduced the gap to sixth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt to just three points. At the same time, in seventh place, they extended their lead over TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and SC Freiburg to three points. If the as-good-as-champions Bayer Leverkusen also win the DFB Cup, seventh place at the end of the season will be enough for the Europa Conference League playoffs.
“This is now a positive pressure for the players. You can win a lot, win a lot. I don’t know how many points that will lead to,” said sports director Marinko Jurendic after goals from Phillip Tietz (47th minute) and Sven Michel (81.). The team can now “play freely”. You can see how free it is next Friday. Then the Augsburg team will be visiting Frankfurt and can keep the pressure on the Hessians high.
dpa
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