Sardar Azmoun is in line to start as Bayer Leverkusen aim for their first win of the campaign when they host favorite opponents Augsburg at the BayArena on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST).
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Azmoun was only a second-half substitute on the opening weekend as manager Gerardo Seoane may have taken a more conservative approach at Borussia Dortmund. In the end, it was a narrow 1-0 defeat for Leverkusen, with Azmoun’s attacking partner Patrik Schick repeatedly disallowed. It means last season’s third-placed side are yet to start in 2022/23, having also lost 4-3 in their DFB Cup first-round draw at lower-league Elversberg. Back home, however, expect Die Werkself throw in everything they have at Augsburg, including new signing Adam Hlozek upfront. Combative midfielder Robert Andrich is not in top form after suffering a thigh blow in Dortmund. Edmond Tapsoba went in goal for the rest of this game, but Andrey Lunev – a proper goalkeeper in his second season at the club – is in line to replace him.
Matchday one didn’t go to plan for Augsburg either, as they found themselves receiving a 4-0 draw at home to Freiburg. There were few indications that the game would go in that direction in the first 45 minutes, which new manager Enrico Maaßen described as “very even”. But two goals from set pieces just after the restart hit Die Fuggerstadter. Maaßen launched Ricardo Pepi and Florian Niederlechner to try to salvage some pride, but to no avail. Nevertheless, the former Dortmund reserve coach is unlikely to make drastic changes as he seeks more consistency and could name the same team that started both against Freiburg and in the 4-0 win over Blau-Weiß Lohne in the DFB Cup. That again means places on the bench for USMNT international Pepi, as well as United States-eligible striker Maurice Malone.
Look: Moussa Diaby scored a hat-trick as Leverkusen maintained their unbeaten record from Augsburg
Match statistics
- Moussa Diaby has scored more goals against Augsburg than any Bundesliga side he has faced (five in as many games).
- Lunev is the second Russian goalkeeper to play in the Bundesliga, after Stanislav Cherchesov (Dynamo Dresden)
- Leverkusen have never lost to Augsburg (22+ games). It is the longest head-to-head unbeaten record in Bundesliga history.
- Andre Hahn has five goals in meetings with Leverkusen. It is his favorite opponent, with Cologne (also five goals).
- Augsburg have lost six of their last eight away matches in the Bundesliga.
- Die Fuggerstadter have not lost their first two matches of a Bundesliga season since 2014/15.
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Probable teams
Leverkusen: Lunev – Frimpong, Tah (c), Tapsoba, Hincapie – Palacios, Demirbay – Diaby, Azmoun, Hlozek – Schick
Out: Andrich (thigh), Hradecky (suspended), Wirtz (cruciate ligament)
Doubtful: Adli (fitness match)
Coach: Gerard Seoane
Augsburg: Gikiewicz – Bauer, Gouweleeuw (c), Uduokhai – Caligiuri, Maier, Gruezo, Rexhbecaj, Iago – Hahn, Demirovic
Out: Dorsch (metatarsal), Petkov (ankle), Sarenren Bazee (cruciate ligament), Oxford (knee), Strobl (knee), Vargas (thigh)
Doubtful: Niederlechner (groin), Winther (hitting)
Coach: Enrico Maassen
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