2013-2014 Bundesliga Match Day 1 FC Augsburg versus Borussia Dortmund Saturday, August 10, 2013, SGL Arena, Augsburg, Germany (Kickoff – 3:30 PM CET) After a season of European euphoria and disappointment in the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund kicks off a new Bundesliga season on Saturday afternoon in the Schwabian area of Bavaria where BVB will take on FC Augsburg. With the notable exceptions for the suspended Roman Weidenfeller and the recovering Lukasz Piszczek, much of the BVB lineup will look like the one which started last season. It seems Kevin Grosskreutz will provide cover for Piszczek at right back. Nuri Sahin, who was not with Borussia Dortmund at the start of last season, might possibly start this match at the #8 position in place of Ilkay Gündogan, who might move to the center to cover for recovering newcomer Hendrik Mkhitaryan. Still undefeated in the Bundesliga goalkeeper Mitch Langerak should fill in for Weidenfeller. BVB had a nice run in pre-season test matches. BVB won the German Super Cup match over FC Bayern München and its German Cup first round match against SV Wihelmshaven. However, on Saturday, this BVB team will face its first true test. The first match that truly counts. Even though FC Augsburg has never beaten BVB in the Bundesliga I believe FC Augsburg will give our boys a battle on Saturday. I believe we have to watch out for who I believe to be Augsburg’s two “danger players” Halil Altintop (used to score against us when he was with 1. FC Kaiserslautern and is a Scheisse 04 kid) and Sascha Mölders (a guy I believe is underrated and knows how to put the ball in the back of the net.). I believe this is a battle we should win. I believe BVB will up its Bundesliga record against FC Augsburg to four victories, one draw and zero defeats…….. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following information is from the Borussia Dortmund website. It is not official. FC Augsburg Projected Starting Lineup:Amsif – Verhaegh, Callsen-Bracker, Klavan, Ostrzolek – Baier – Hahn, Moravek, Halil Altintop, Holzhauser – Mölders Head Coach: Markus Weinzierl FC Augsburg Projected Substitutes Bench: Hitz (GK), Reinhardt, Philp, Parkhurst, Vogt, Werner, Fetsch, Vlachodimos, Ekin, Nebihi, Framberger, Uhde Questionable For FC Augsburg: Holzhauser (Achilles), Werner (fitness after knee issues) Out For FC Augsburg: Manniger (partially torn knee ligament), de Jong (broken toe), Ottl (torn ankle ligaments), Bancè (broken forearm) Borussia Dortmund Projected Starting Lineup: Langerak – Grosskreutz, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer – Kehl (Bender), Sahin, Blaszczykowski (Kuba), Gündogan, Reus – Lewandowski Head Coach: Jürgen Klopp Borussia Dortmund Projected Substitutes Bench: Bonmann (GK) – Kirch, Sokratis, Hofmann, Bender, Aubameyang, Ducksch, Schieber Questionable For Borussia Dortmund: Gündogan (back issues) Out For Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller (red card suspension), Piszczek (recovering from hip surgery), Mkhitaryan (recovering from high ankle sprain) Match Referee: Knut Kircher Knut Kircher will be in charge of a match involving Borussia Dortmund for the 24th time in his career. Last season, Kircher was in charge of BVB’s 2-1 victory in Mainz, BVB’s 5-0 victory at Bremen and BVB’s German Cup quarter-final defeat to FC Bayern. Kircher has been in charge of one other Augsburg v Dortmund matchup at Augsburg. This was a goalless draw on March 10, 2012. BVB’s overall record under Kircher’s supervision is positive with 11 victories, 4 draws and 8 defeats. Kircher has been a Bundesliga referee since September 2001 and has been a FIFA referee since 2004. Sideline Assistants: Robert Kempter & Dominik Schaal Fourth Official: Marco Fritz Projected Spectator Status: The SGL Arena is sold out (30,660).
Perhaps Bender over Kehl , but that's just me. Wait if Gundogan is doubtful how would our attack three look like? Obamaman-----Reus-------Kuba or Grosskreutz---Reus-----Kuba and put Durm as full back?
AFAIK, Bender is doubtful too. This is why Kehl is listed. BVB just didn't list Bender as doubtful/questionable. If Gündogan can't go, I think we will see Aubameyang on the left with Reus moving to the center. I wouldn't put KG in midfield after he's been playing right back all summer. Not when we have Aubameyang, who by all accounts is more dangerous. We'll see what Kloppo does tomorrow.
So we will start with Sahin and Bender at the double 6. Guendogan will start at the CAM with PEA getting the nod over Kuba on the left. Langerak, Grosskreutz, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer, Bender, Sahin, PEA, Guendogan, Reus, Lewadowski
PEA off Hofmann on 81st minute. BVB 3-0 PEA only the 6th player to score three goals in his BL debut.
Slow start. For about 50 minutes, Dortmund wasn't going too well. Congrats to Aubameyang but don't think this is indicator that he will do this every match but moreso that he will be good goal outlet which was point of aquisition. Gündogan must not have been feeling to well. This was the poorest I've seen from him in a long time and BVB looked much better when Reus came central. Key Observation: Lewandowski dropped middle, Reus moved left, Aubameyang moved up top, and back to normal shape. This rotation will probably be the key feature this season, including when Mkhtaryan comes in.
solid 4-0 away win couple of thoughts...this is going going to be one fun season! obviously Augsburg is not a class opponent but a solid win away from home nevertheless any questions about PEA's poise in front of the net might have been answered...loved lewandowski' s "drop back" his pass and PEA's run for the third goal... deep team but the defensive flanks will be an issue against the big clubs - only real issue i foresee
not sure that's the case....i am sure Lewa wanted PEA to make the extra pass a couple of times...but he struck me as a very composed and settled player out there today -after all...this is 4th season in BL now...i think he realizes the quality
Good, solid away win. It looks like a routine fixture but we slipped up so many times last season in winnable matches (albeit at home more often than way). Out of interest, where is Henrikh (yes, I cannot spell his surname)?
He was injured in pre-season, but I think he is close to full recovery but I wouldn't expect him to be rushed in, I think the next fixture or the one after that was when he was scheduled for recovery.
Aubemayang (sp) with an exhilarating debut, looks like he will give Kuba and Reus competition for the best winger spot on this team.