No chance at 4-0 in Leipzig, only four points from five games: FC Augsburg conceded too many goals and are already under pressure to win against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday evening.
A candidate for the starting eleven: Chrislain Matsima (left), here in a duel with Benjamin Sesko.
picture alliance / HMB Media
Jess Thorup is not a man for wild changes, as his first year as coach of FC Augsburg showed. The 54-year-old looks for his team, usually only makes small, if at all, voluntary changes to the starting lineup and trusts his players even after defeats. After the 4-0 defeat in Leipzig, however, the legitimate question arises: How long?
Just 14 goals conceded – 2.8 on average per game – means the third-worst defense in the Bundesliga after five match days. The crux of the matter: FCA makes it far too easy for its opponents to score goals, handing out gifts in the form of positional errors, individual dropouts and drowsiness. Six goals conceded in the opening quarter of an hour is a frightening trend.
U-21 national player Matsima offers himself
But what personnel alternatives does Thorup have? Withdrawing trust from Nediljko Labrovic in goal would come very early. The Croatian has hardly been convincing so far, but neither was alternative Finn Dahmen last season. However, Chrislain Matsima offers an interesting option in central defense. FCA loaned the 22-year-old from AS Monaco at the end of August with a purchase option.
Matsima made his debut as a substitute in Leipzig. Logically speaking, as a French U-21 national defender, he should be in the class of Maximilian Bauer or Keven Schlotterbeck. Despite his poor form, captain Jeff Gouweleeuw should continue to play, regardless of whether he is in a three-man or four-man chain.
Mounié’s hour could also come
Further forward, Thorup’s alternatives are large in quantity, but in quality? Players like Arne Maier, Fredrik Jensen, Mads Pedersen and Tim Breithaupt have not been able to take advantage of their chance so far this season.
Because Samuel Essende, the best striker, has to serve part two of his red card suspension, Steve Mounié’s hour could come in the home game against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday evening (8.30 p.m., LIVE! on kicker). However, the 30-year-old still has to provide proof of his Bundesliga class.
