Augsburg's European Dream Hangs in the Balance as they Step Up Against Holstein Kiel
Kiel's Europa League Pass: But the FCA still has business to handle - Passed Times in Europe: Yet, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Still Maintains Its Role in Kiel
Jess Thorup wasn't eager to boast about Europe before the FC Augsburg's home clash against Holstein Kiel. "The goal appears distant," the coach admitted, scrutinizing the Bundesliga standings and Augsburg's theoretical opportunities in the final leg of the season.
But Thorup also declined to minimize the significance of the penultimate home game of the season this Sunday (3:30 PM/DAZN) against the bottom-place team. There was something to it. In their last encounter of 2024, the FCA suffered a 1:5 defeat to the newly-promoted side. For Kiel, it was their record win in the top flight, while for Augsburg, it was their nadir and turning point of the season.
"Everyone can remember the result and the performance from back then," Thorup said before the re-match, regarding it as a "highly motivated" opportunity to "even the score" against a team battling for survival in the relegation fight. "After that game, everyone looked in the mirror," Thorup recalled, "and as a coach, I said, 'This can't go on like this.'"
And it didn't. Following Kiel's goal-fest, the Dane zeroed in on a solid defense. The FCA's record in the second half of the season stands as the third-best behind Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen with 24 points.
One of the cornerstones of this is Finn Dahmen. The 27-year-old thrived under Thorup's new strategy. Dahmen secured his position, has been undisputed since, and even caught the attention of national team coach Julian Nagelsmann with his clean sheets and outstanding performances. His contract has now been automatically extended by another year until June 30, 2027, after his 50th competitive game in Leverkusen.
Dahmen's goal: "Continual Progress"
"I'm quite content with my current role and form, and I'm eager for what lies ahead. My aim is to continually progress and achieve the utmost success with the FCA," Dahmen declared. FCA sporting director Marinko Jurendic commended Dahmen for his "steady impressive performances" that have significantly bolstered the team's defensive stability and successful campaign.
Thorup hopes that the team's core can be retained in the off-season, and perhaps "one or two quality players" can be added for the then 15th Augsburg Bundesliga season. Since the Dane intends to ponder more earnestly about Europe in the future.
Berisha Injured Again
The return of striker Mergim Berisha proved futile. The 26-year-old, who wasn't fit upon his arrival from Hoffenheim in winter, has to take another break. Thorup speaks of "a minor injury," but it aligns with the pattern of this unproductive loan arrangement for both parties. "The expectation was that he would play many games," Thorup lamented. To date, the striker has only played twice in the FCA jersey.
- Europe
- Jess Thorup
- Bundesliga
- FC Augsburg
- Augsburg
- Holstein Kiel
- Finn Dahmen
- Kiel
- Sunday
- DAZN
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Facts to Consider
FC Augsburg's chances for UEFA competition in the upcoming 2024/25 season are slim, as their current position of 10th in the Bundesliga (with 43 points through 31 matches) places them far from European qualification positions (5th for Europa League, 6th for Conference League play-offs) [5]. Their recent form, including three losses, one draw, and one win in their last five matches, indicates inconsistency [5]. The Bavarians face tough upcoming matches against Hoffenheim (h), Bayern Munich (a), and Wolfsburg (h), making it unlikely to gain enough points for a late surge [5]. The Bundesliga's European slots are currently occupied by higher-placed teams (e.g., Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Leipzig), effectively eliminating Augsburg's mathematical chances. Their -9 goal difference and lack of recent momentum further hamper any realistic prospects [3][5].
- Finn Dahmen, praised for his steady impressive performances and clean sheets, has had his contract extended until 2027, a move that Marinko Jurendic believes significantly bolsters the team's defensive stability for the upcoming season.
- Despite Augsburg's 10th position in the Bundesliga, Jess Thorup hopes to retain the team's core and potentially add "one or two quality players" for the 15th Augsburg Bundesliga season, as he eyes more promising European prospects in the future.
- In a critical game this Sunday at 3:30 PM on DAZN, Augsburg's European dream hangs in the balance as they face Holstein Kiel, a relegation fight team that defeated Augsburg with a record 1:5 score in their last encounter of 2024.
- Mergim Berisha's return from Hoffenheim has been imperiled by another minor injury, a pattern that has made his loan arrangement unproductive so far, with the striker having played only twice in the FCA jersey to date.
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