FC Augsburg host FC Schalke 04 to close matchday one | OneFootball

Augsburg host promoted Schalke to close the Bundesliga’s opening matchday. According to BuLi News, the Royal Blues return to the top flight after winning last season’s 2. Bundesliga.

Augsburg begin a 16th straight Bundesliga season after Manuel Baum returned to steady them last term. The 46-year-old, previously in charge for three seasons, is now appointed permanently.

The hosts faced potential exits, with Chrislain Matsima and Mert Kömür set to stay after failed Premier League moves. New number 10 Kömür was a late substitute in the cup win at Energie Cottbus but could now start. Summer arrival Calvin Brackelmann is a candidate to replace Kevin Schlotterbeck after his switch to Southampton.

Schalke’s headline move was extending Edin Džeko’s contract, and the 40-year-old came off the bench to score twice and assist against Hallescher in the DFB-Pokal. If they can replicate last season’s defensive strength, they could avoid a repeat of their immediate relegation after their previous promotion, although pre-season and the cup tie against a Regionalliga side suggested otherwise.

Dejan Ljubičić is set to start after playing down links to LASK. New arrivals Robin Gosens and Junior Dina Ebimbe are in contention for the XI, while Džeko is poised for his first Bundesliga outing since December 2010.

Baum did not win any of his first four meetings with Schalke and was also winless during his 10-game stint in charge there at the start of 2020/21. Augsburg beat Schalke 3-0 in the DFB-Pokal second round a couple of years ago.

Source: BuLi News

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