FC Augsburg will hope for a fresh start under Manuel Baum as Bayer Leverkusen come calling in the Bundesliga.
FC Augsburg find themselves entering a decisive and turbulent chapter of their Bundesliga season as they prepare to host high-flying Bayer Leverkusen at the WWK Arena on Saturday. The club parted ways with Sandro Wagner earlier this week, bringing an abrupt end to what had become a deeply worrying spell that delivered far more questions than answers.
With five defeats in their last six competitive fixtures and a defence leaking goals at an alarming rate, Augsburg’s leadership concluded that change was unavoidable. The numbers paint a stark picture. FCA have conceded 27 goals across their opening 12 league matches, joint-worst in the Bundesliga, and their structural issues have never been more exposed.
Their latest setback, a sobering 3-0 defeat at FC Hoffenheim, encapsulated the fragility of a side struggling for rhythm, identity, and above all, confidence. Four of their last five defeats have been suffered to nil, reflecting both creativity issues in attack and persistent instability at the back. Their only victory over the last two months came at home against newly promoted Hamburger SV, offering temporary relief but little long-term reassurance.
Into this environment steps interim manager Manuel Baum, a familiar figure in German football and a former Schalke 04 boss. The 46-year-old is tasked with steadying the ship ahead of the winter break, overseeing Augsburg’s next three fixtures as an opportunity to guide the team back toward stability, and potentially earn himself a longer-term role.
Baum inherits a squad that clearly needs recalibration, both tactically and mentally, and his immediate challenge comes in the form of one of the Bundesliga’s most in-form opponents. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen travel to Augsburg in a very different emotional space.
Despite a summer defined by sweeping changes, including the departure of Xabi Alonso and a significant reshuffle of personnel, Kasper Hjulmand has moulded Die Werkself into a fast, cohesive, and highly competitive outfit. The club’s upward trajectory has been unmistakable. Five wins from their last six matches across all competitions have established Leverkusen not only as contenders for European progression but also as potential threats in the domestic title race.
Their recent performances further emphasise their momentum. A 6-0 dismantling of FC Heidenheim and a composed 3-1 victory away at Wolfsburg showcased Leverkusen’s attacking fluency, while a disciplined 2-0 win over Manchester City in the Champions League demonstrated their new defensive maturity and resilience under pressure.
Yet, their most symbolic feat arrived in the DFB-Pokal, where they eliminated Borussia Dortmund with a gritty 1-0 victory at Signal Iduna Park, avenging their recent league defeat and sending a clear message to their domestic rivals. Hjulmand’s squad appears increasingly balanced, mixing youthful energy with experienced leadership, and the tactical clarity with which they approach different match scenarios has made them one of the league’s toughest sides to contain.
For a struggling Augsburg outfit, even with the theoretical boost of a managerial reset, this match-up could hardly come at a more challenging moment. Still, football has a habit of producing unexpected narratives, and Augsburg will hope that Baum’s appointment provides exactly the psychological uplift required to destabilise a superior Leverkusen team.
Yet, given the trends, form, and structural differences between the two sides, Augsburg know they must produce one of their best performances of the season to avoid falling deeper into the danger zone. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
FC Augsburg
Augsburg enter this weekend’s clash with relatively few injury concerns, though they remain without their most experienced defender, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, who continues to struggle with a recurring knee problem. The 34-year-old centre-back has been attempting to return to full training, but the club’s medical team has advised caution, meaning he will not be available for the first match of the Manuel Baum era.
Augsburg have no suspensions heading into the game, but their form issues mean several positions could see internal reshuffling as Baum attempts to stabilise the side. From an attacking standpoint, the hosts will again rely heavily on Fabian Rieder, who remains Augsburg’s top Bundesliga scorer this season despite having found the net just three times.
The Swiss midfielder has now gone over a month without a goal, but he continues to represent the team’s most consistent creative outlet. Defensively, Cedric Zesiger faces renewed scrutiny after a difficult outing against Hoffenheim, where he struggled throughout the match and compounded his troubles with an unfortunate own goal. His recent drop in form may influence Baum’s selection, especially as the interim manager evaluates which players can bring composure and consistency back into the side.
Augsburg are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation as Manuel Baum looks for a more organised and flexible structure. In goal, Finn Dahmen will continue as the last line of defence. The back three should consist of Noahkai Banks, Chrislain Matsima, and Keven Schlotterbeck, with each tasked with improving the defensive coordination that has been missing in recent games.
Out wide, Anton Kade is expected to operate as the right wing-back, while Dimitris Giannoulis should take up the role on the left, providing width and support in transition. In central midfield, Han-Noah Massengo and Robin Fellhauer are likely to anchor the side, offering ball recovery and forward progression.
Ahead of them, the creative pairing of Fabian Rieder and Mert Komur will aim to support the lone striker while linking play between midfield and attack. Leading the line is expected to be Samuel Essende, who will be relied upon to stretch the Bayer Leverkusen backline and convert any rare opportunities Augsburg can create.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Dahmen; Banks, Matsima, Schlotterbeck; Kade, Fellhauer, Massengo, Giannoulis; Rieder, Komur; Essende
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen travel to Augsburg with a lengthy injury list that continues to limit Kasper Hjulmand’s ability to rotate his squad. The midfield has been hit particularly hard, with Ezequiel Fernandez ruled out due to a persistent knee issue and fellow Argentine Exequiel Palacios sidelined by a groin injury that has kept him out for several weeks.
Adding to Bayer Leverkusen’s concerns, Lucas Vazquez remains unavailable while he recovers from a muscle problem. These absences deprive Die Werkself of valuable experience and control in the middle of the pitch, forcing Hjulmand to rely more heavily on emerging talents. There are also concerns surrounding two additional players who are considered doubtful.
Brazilian full-back Arthur has been battling a back injury since the last international break and is not expected to recover in time. Meanwhile, teenage midfielder Axel Tape, who has shown promise this season, continues to deal with a thigh issue that has limited his involvement throughout December. Leverkusen are not dealing with any suspensions, but their injury situation means several squad players will likely play expanded roles as they aim to extend their impressive run of form.
Hjulmand is expected to deploy his side in a 3-4-2-1 system, which has given Leverkusen both structural balance and attacking fluidity. In goal, Mark Flekken should retain his place as the starting goalkeeper. The defensive trio will likely consist of Robert Andrich on the right side of the back line, Loic Bade in the central defensive role, and Edmond Tapsoba anchoring the left centre-back position.
The wing-back roles are set to be filled by Jonas Hofmann on the right and Alejandro Grimaldo on the left, both of whom are crucial for ball progression and chance creation. In central midfield, Ibrahim Maza and Aleix Garcia are expected to partner each other, forming the engine that will dictate tempo and provide defensive cover.
The advanced midfield line should feature Malik Tillman and Ernest Poku, tasked with linking play, drifting between lines, and supporting the attack. Leading the line will be Patrik Schick, who has rediscovered scoring form in recent weeks and remains the focal point of Bayer Leverkusen’s forward play.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Flekken; Andrich, Bade, Tapsoba; Hofmann, Maza, García, Grimaldo; Tillman, Poku; Schick
Key Stats
- FC Augsburg have lost five of their last six competitive matches, scoring just once across those defeats.
- Bayer Leverkusen have won five of their last six games across all competitions.
- FC Augsburg have conceded 27 goals in the Bundesliga this season, the joint-worst defensive record in the division.
- Bayer Leverkusen have scored 14 goals in their last five matches, averaging nearly three goals per game.
- Bayer Leverkusen have won four of the last five meetings against Augsburg.
Player to Watch
Patrik Schick
Patrik Schick stands out as the decisive figure heading into this matchup, with the Czech forward rediscovering his sharpness and influence after a difficult spell with injuries. Now back to full fitness, Schick has begun to reassert himself as the clinical focal point of Bayer Leverkusen’s attack, offering Kasper Hjulmand both a reliable finisher and a natural penalty-box presence.
Schick’s movement between the lines, coupled with his ability to hold up possession and link play with the attacking midfield duo behind him, makes him a constant threat to an Augsburg defence that has struggled desperately throughout the season. His aerial prowess poses an additional challenge for a back line that has already conceded a high volume of headed chances.
With Leverkusen generating a steady stream of opportunities through their dynamic wing-backs and fluid midfield, Schick could find himself at the center of several decisive moments. If he maintains his current rhythm in front of goal, he may well be the difference-maker once again, particularly against an Augsburg side low on confidence and vulnerable to sustained attacking pressure.
Prediction
Augsburg 0-3 Bayer Leverkusen
Augsburg enter this contest in turmoil, having dismissed Sandro Wagner and carrying the league’s joint-worst defensive record into a matchup against one of the Bundesliga’s most in-form teams. Even with the expected “new manager bounce” under Baum, the structural issues in their back line, poor organisation, slow recovery transitions and a lack of confidence remain glaring vulnerabilities.
Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, are surging. Five wins from their last six across all competitions, a statement victory against Manchester City in Europe, and a composed, disciplined display to eliminate Borussia Dortmund from the DFB-Pokal underline their momentum and tactical cohesion. Kasper Hjulmand’s system is clicking, and even with several injuries, their squad depth is proving more than sufficient.
Given Augsburg’s chaotic defensive phase and Leverkusen’s efficiency in the final third, this matchup feels heavily one-sided on paper. Patrik Schick’s form, combined with Bayer Leverkusen’s fluid wing-back play and superior midfield control, should create sustained pressure throughout the match.
