Kovac ahead of Augsburg: “We haven't achieved anything yet” | OneFootball

The scenarioBVB's 2-1 away win at 1. FC Köln last Saturday consolidated their position in second place in the table. But during the week, BVB coach Niko Kovac said during open training: “We haven't achieved anything yet. We have 55 points, which is two points fewer than at the end of last season. There are still 27 points up for grabs. To achieve our goals, i.e. to qualify for the Champions League, we still need to pick up a few more points.” (Further statements from the press conference and the training photo gallery.)

Kovac now points to a “very serious opponent” whom “we were unable to defeat last year”. In March 2025, BVB lost 1-0 at home to Augsburg. However, in October, the reverse fixture of this season was won 1-0 by the Black & Yellows thanks to a goal from Serhou Guirassy.

Personnel mattersHere's the latest news from the training ground: Carney Chukwuemeka (muscle problems) has recently completed two sessions of team training. Nico Schlotterbeck returned to training with his teammates on Thursday after individual training, while Julian Brandt was absent due to illness.

Ramy Bensebaini received his fifth yellow card of the season in the match against Köln and will therefore have to watch from the sidelines against Augsburg. Emre Can (cruciate ligament rupture) and Filippo Mane, who is undergoing rehabilitation, are unavailable.

The opponentFC Augsburg have picked up 16 points in the second half of the season, just three points fewer than BVB (19) and the second most in the league. This means that the Fuggerstadt team has already surpassed its points total from the first half of the season (14). “It's a team that has stabilised, concedes very little, scores very few goals, is very compact and plays very intense and aggressive football. They are a team that will certainly challenge us,” says Kovac about the opponents, who have been coached by Manuel Baum since December 2025.

After three wins in a row (against Heidenheim, in Wolfsburg and against Köln), the team suffered defeat last weekend. In Leipzig, the visitors had even taken a 1-0 lead, but after the equaliser, an own goal in injury time sealed Augsburg's unfortunate defeat.

Battle of the brothersThe parents of the Schlotterbeck brothers are known for supporting their sons at the stadium and sitting in the stands. On Saturday, Marc and Susanne won't have to split up or choose which stadium to go to as Nico and Keven will be facing each other at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. Both were born into a footballing family as Marc's brother Niels was himself a successful professional footballer. The fact that both are now known for their strong left foot is down to their early childhood influences. “When they were very young and could barely kick a balloon, I always made sure to place the balloon on their left foot,” says their father Marc, who was left-footed himself and is convinced that being left-footed gives you better chances of progress. Today, both are seasoned professionals and have played together in the Bundesliga in the past. They played together for the first time for SC Freiburg in April 2019, playing 90 minutes in central defence. In 2022, Nico transferred to Borussia Dortmund, and Keven has been playing for FC Augsburg since 2024. As both recently wore the captain's armband for their teams, choosing sides could become a family affair.Christina Reinke