Thorup demands reaction: FCA meets Demirovic and VfB Stuttgart!

FC Augsburg (FCA) coach Jess Thorup is negative about the holidays, especially in view of the recent defeat against Kiel. The coach emphasizes the desire to improve in all areas and demands full focus from his team. The first competitive game of the new year is on Sunday against VfB Stuttgart, where Thorup would like to see a reaction from his players after the setback they previously suffered.

Ermedin Demirovic, a former FCA player, now plays for VfB Stuttgart, to whom he moved in the summer for a transfer fee of 21 million euros. This season, Demirovic scored five goals in the first six games, but since then he has only found the net twice. In the run-up to the game against his former club, his ambition is particularly high, while the Augsburg team is trying to make amends after the defeat against Kiel.

Injuries and squad problems

VfB Stuttgart is currently struggling with some injury problems. El Bilal Touré is out due to a broken metatarsal and Deniz Undav also had to sit out the last six games due to a torn muscle fiber. In addition, new signing Nick Woltemade has scored four goals in the meantime, which puts Demirovic's place in the squad at risk.

The Augsburg team, on the other hand, can rely on the return of captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw after serving a suspension. However, Keven Schlotterbeck is questionable. In the current transfer phase, the Augsburg team is focusing on central defense, as there are only four players available for three positions. Rumors are rife about a transfer for Victor Nelsson from Galatasaray Istanbul, while Reece Oxford, suffering from Long Covid, is nearing team training but still needs some time to return to action.

The upcoming game against VfB Stuttgart will take place on new grass. Demirovic, who moved to VfB Stuttgart in 2024 and has played in a variety of competitions since then, will play a central role in this duel. Loud Augsburg Journal and Wikipedia This will be a special encounter with his former team for him.