Markus Weinzierl's FC Augsburg welcome Dutch Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar to the WWK Arena, as the Bundesliga side look to earn both their second win against Thursday nights opponents and their second of Group L in the Europa League.
In the return meeting at the AFAS Stadion two weeks ago, die Fuggerstädter overcame their opponents courtesy of a late first half strike by Piotr Trochowski. The result sees both sides head into the match in Schwaben Bavaria level on three points each, and a further victory on Thursday night could see the victor in with a great chance of progression to the knock-out phases.
Pre-match comments
With the prospect of moving into first place with a win, Markus Weinzierl was clear in his sides aim stating "We need to win the home games. We want to progress and tomorrow we need to get the three points!". However the former SSV Jahn's Regensburg manager was cautious as to threat the opposition, AZ Alkmaar, could pose "AZ is a very good side" he said yet he again echoed his earlier sentiment in "but we have already beaten them and go in to the game with optimism!'
The goal scorer in the game two weeks ago in the Netherlands, Piotr Trochowski, was stern in his outlook - "We want to win every game, no matter what competition. There's no excuses, we want to take the Europa League seriously."
"They have quality and are an exciting team. They are offensively dangerous" said the FC Augsburg manager once more in reference to their Dutch visitors. Weinzierl is certainly taking note of John van der Brom's side and is definitely not underestimating them.
FC Augsburg team news
The FC Augsburg manager confirmed that Jan Ingwer Calsen Bracker will be a late injury concern for the Group L, with Christoph Janker in line to replace the former Borussia Mönchengladbach man if he is not passed fit to play. However in some good news for die Fuggerstädter, Philipp Max and Kostas Stafylidis are available after short injury absences.
Raul Bobadilla will most definitely be the man to watch in die Fuggerstãdter colours. The Argentine-cum-Paraguayan is a hand full for opposition defences with his brute pace and power and the former FC Basel man will be pivotal if Markus Weinzierl's ambitions for the game are to be fulfilled.
Tim Matavz should continue up-front, whilst Piotr Trochowksi should return to the starting eleven after the Hamburg native sat out the thrilling three all draw with 1. FSV Mainz 05 at weekend. Trochowski partnering Daniel Baier and Ja-Cheol Koo in a midfield trio.
AZ Alkmaar team news
The opposition from the Horn of Holland have a completely blightless squad, meaning John van der Brom will have a full roster to choose from for the game at the WWK Arena.
Following the same trend as their opponents, it has been a terrible start to the domestic season for the aptly nicknamed Cheese Makers, as they sit in eleventh position in the Eredivisie following a four goals to two defeats at the hands of NEC Nijmegen. Yet van der Brom is expected to make some changes to his sides starting eleven, with both Celso Ortiz and Alireza Jahanbakhsh thought to start in Schwaben Bavaria.
There can be no denying that the stand out man for AZ has to be Norwegian Markus Henriksen, who remained somewhat unscathed in the domestic defeat as the former Rosenborg BK man scored both goals in earnest. The midfielder although not known for his goal scoring exploits has already picked up six this campaign and will be looking to add to his tally against Weinzierl's side. Central defender Jeffrey Gouweleeuw will also be pivotal in any success for the Dutch side, the highly rated defender has been a target of many larger clubs and will also be crucial in Thursday night's clash.