Energie Cottbus vs Augsburg – News and Probable Lineups

As Energie Cottbus continues to find its feet in the 2. Bundesliga after their remarkable promotion, this weekend they will set aside league commitments to face Augsburg in the first round of the DFB Pokal.

In contrast to the home side, Augsburg is entering their first competitive fixture of the season and will aim to overcome a disappointing recent performance in this tournament.

Match overview

Energie Cottbus has seen a troubling trend in recent years, going from the peaks of the Bundesliga in 2009 to the lows of tier four only eight years later.

After stagnating in the lower tiers for over ten years, Energie finally made progress by finishing second in the 3. Liga last season, earning crucial promotion to the 2. Bundesliga.

The architect of Energie’s recent achievements is head coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz, who has held the position since 2021.

Avoiding relegation will be a key focus for Wollitz this season, and his team is off to a mixed start, which includes a notable 3-1 victory over Hannover, but followed by a heavy 3-0 defeat away against Arminia Bielefeld.

This weekend’s match offers a thrilling opportunity to compete against a Bundesliga team, switching the weekly pressures of the second division for a game where Energie has not much to lose.

The club has a poor history in the DFB Pokal, having exited in the first round in eight of the last nine seasons.

Augsburg approaches the new season aiming to build on their ninth-place finish, a commendable feat considering they began the last campaign teetering on the edge of the relegation zone.

The hiring of Manuel Baum in December revitalized the squad, as he oversaw a turnaround that included eight victories in the season’s final stretch.

For context, Augsburg managed only three wins under previous manager Sandro Wagner in their first twelve Bundesliga games.

Now equipped with a full preseason and significant changes during the transfer window, Baum is eager to kick off, mentioning on the club’s website: “Pre-season is over, and this weekend, things kick off. As you’d expect, everyone is itching to get started.”

One aspect the 46-year-old will seek to alter is Augsburg’s dismal DFB Pokal record, with the team having progressed past the second round only once in the last seven years.

Team News

Energie Cottbus is facing a number of absences ahead of Saturday’s DFB Pokal clash.

For example, Jannis Boziaris is sidelined due to a calf injury and is unlikely to feature.

Additionally, Erik Engelhardt is suffering from a ligament tear, while King Manu is managing a knee issue.

On the other hand, Augsburg starts the new season with fitness in their ranks, except for one player.

Alexis Claude-Maurice is doubtful as he deals with an ankle issue sustained last May, leaving his availability uncertain.

There are also uncertainties regarding the starting forward positions, as Baum has multiple candidates.

Michael Gregoritsch was a regular feature in the latter part of the previous season, netting six goals across 17 league appearances. The Austrian could face competition from new arrivals Rodrigo Ribeiro and Steve Mounie.

Energie Cottbus probable starting XI:

Lotka; Rorig, Campulka, Erlein, Borgmann; Pelivan, Michelbrink; Hannemann, Cigerci, Butler; Bogdanov

Augsburg probable starting XI:

Damen; Matsima, Gouweleuw, Schlotterbeck; Fellhauer, Massengo, Rieder, Behrens; Quay; Gregoritsch, Ribeiro

Energie Cottbus is likely to put forth a commendable performance, yet the disparity in quality appears to be significant.

Augsburg has made some solid signings over the summer, and they are expected to secure a confident victory.