After two second-round embarrassments, FC Bayern wants to avoid a painful knockout hat-trick against league fright FC Augsburg.
"We already have the ambition to win the DFB Cup. Accordingly, we have to win against Augsburg - that's the job," said coach Julian Nagelsmann the day before the away game against the opponent who finally put Munich in the Bundesliga crisis a month ago had fallen. At that time still with Manuel Neuer in the Bayern goal, who, in contrast to the returnee Thomas Müller, will be missing on Wednesday (8.45 p.m. / Sky and ZDF) in the hot cup test.
A 5-0 defeat a year ago at Borussia Mönchengladbach and a sensational penalty shoot-out at Holstein Kiel a season earlier, which Nagelsmann experienced "only on television" as the Leipzig coach at the time, did not correspond at all to the self-image of the 20-time player cup winner. "Of course the issue is that we don't want to be eliminated in a second round for a third time in a row," said Nagelsmann.
revenge plans
In the Champions League, his ensemble is in the round of 16, in the league it is back on track - there is still a sign of strength in the cup. The fact that there is also a quick reunion with the opponent who really annoyed the Bayern stars in the 0-1 draw in September tickles extra motivation. "We want to do better than in the league, but unfortunately we screwed it up," said midfielder Marcel Sabitzer.
Captain Neuer will also be missing. With the 36-year-old, the people of Munich don't want to take any risks a month before the World Cup, although the break shouldn't be chosen for that reason. "It's a bit of a tightrope walk. Every game that's too early throws him back," said Nagelsmann.
Müller's progress after suffering a muscular back problem surprised even the coach, who highlighted "a big step" in the leader's recovery. Vice-captain Müller is again an option for the bank, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who was strong against Freiburg (5-0), received a starting eleven from Nagelsmann. "He played a world-class game against Freiburg and he will start," said the coach, who will have to do without Leroy Sané and Luca Hernández in the planned revenge match due to muscle injuries.
New "Augsburg Festival"?
"I do think Bayern have their antennae on point. It hurt them that we won the game in the Bundesliga," said FCA coach Enrico Maassen. The 38-year-old even allowed himself to think of a new "Augsburg Festival": "We managed to win against them at home twice in a row. Why not a third time?" With 30,660 spectators, the arena is sold out.
In contrast to FCA goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz, who was invincible by the Bayern stars four weeks ago, Maaßen can count on Mergim Berisha as the winning goal scorer. "Not only Mergim will be important," said Maassen, trying to spread the pressure on several shoulders. "We need this energy, creativity and passion again," said Maassen.
It was precisely with these elements that the Swabians trumped in the heated league fight, which made for a memorable and monosyllabic Nagelsmann press conference. "Augsburg are a team that is pursuing a clear plan that is very physical. We will have to fight against that," said Bayern international Leon Goretzka.
Sven Ulreich will once again be in the Munich goal for Neuer, who called for "tackling strength and presence" against the physically strong Augsburg. "We know how difficult it is there, how physically they play," said sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.
