Augsburg end incredible pre-season tour of South Africa
Augsburg have finished up a unique and enriching tour of South Africa with contrasting results in their two pre-season friendlies abroad.
Augsburg's two matches at the Mbombela Stadium saw them beat Young Africans SC 2-1 on July 20, before defeat by the same scoreline against TS Galaxy FC on July 27.
The latter match saw summer signing Samuel Essende get off the mark with his first goal in FCA colours, a positive sign after the depature of Ermedin Demirović.
The team's training camp was held in White River, but they saw far more than just football pitches, with an incredible safari, a trip to a local school, and a musical welcome from locals.
Watch: Young Africans SC 1-2 Augsburg - highlights
"It's a very interesting trip," said midfielder Tim Breithaupt. "Starting with the safari, which was new territory for many of the boys. But the school visit was also a great experience. Seeing the kids beaming was incredible. The main focus of the training camp, however, is clearly on the athletes. We trained well and feel well prepared for the new season.
"We were able to work through every area and had tough sessions behind us. But that's part of the training camp, because we have to be fit for the first games. We're on the right track."
Augsburg will now head back home to Germany for two more friendlies against Leicester City and Marseille before their season gets underway with a DFB Cup match away to Viktoria Berlin on August 18.
Augsburg continue their preparation for the new season with a win over Leicester, with Keven Schlotterbeck scoring the only goal of the game for the hosts.
Game time for the new boys
Summer signings Keven Schlotterbeck, Dimitris Giannoulis and Steve Mounié all start against Leicester.
Vargas returns
Having represented Switzerland at Euro 2024, midfielder Ruben Vargas has now re-joined the squad ahead of their upcoming friendlies with Leicester and Marseille.
Thorup reflects on South Africa
Following the end of Augsburg's time in South Africa coach Jess Thorup was in good spirits, telling the club website - “We’ve had a very good and intensive time here, but it was also exciting to experience a new country and a new culture. Each and every one of us will take great memories back home".
Tour of South Africa comes to an end
Augsburg's tour of South Africa finishes up with a 2-1 defeat to TS Galaxy after victory over Young Africans by the same scoreline. The trip was about far more than just friendlies, though, with the team going on safari, meeting school children and being welcomed by locals with a party. Whatever happens this season, Augsburg may well have a whole new nation of fans watching on from afar.
Ten-man TS Galaxy close out a 2-1 win over Augsburg, meaning Jess Thorup's side experience defeat for the first time in pre-season. It's been quite an incredible tour for Augsburg, though, who head back to Germany to face Premier League side Leicester next.
Augburg could be heading for their first defeat of pre-season.
Augsburg take on TS Galaxy
For their second match of the South Africa tour, and third overall in pre-season, Augsburg are taking on TS Galaxy FC at the Mbombela Stadium. They already have victories against TSV Schwaben Augsburg (3-0) and Young Africans FC (2-1).
Breithaupt's overview of pre-season
"At the beginning of the preparation, the focus was on fitness and intensity, the last few weeks are now ideal for working on the details. The new players have integrated well and are getting used to our processes. After the training camp, there are two interesting test matches against Leicester City and Olympique Marseille, where we want to give it our all. We're looking forward to it."
Breithaupt on training so far
"We were able to work through every area and had tough sessions behind us. But that's part of the training camp, because we have to be fit for the first games. We're on the right track, there's another game against TS Galaxy tomorrow - with the aim of ending the training camp successfully."
"It's a very interesting trip. Starting with the safari, which was the first time for many of the boys. But the school visit was also a great experience. Seeing the kids beaming was incredible. The main focus of the training camp, however, is clearly on the athletes. We trained well and feel well prepared for the new season."
Michael Ströll, Augsburg CEO says
“With our regional ties to the Augsburg world heritage site, we haven’t just centrally anchored the resource of water to our sustainability strategy, but we’re also taking the opportunity to start a water project during our training camp. ‘Football4WASH’ is a great project that utilises the unifying power of football to build bridges, in order to enable sustainable development and improve living conditions. Access to clean water is a human right and the foundation of our lives.”
Augsburg supports water project
Augsburg have pledged their support for the Football4WASH project in South Africa's Mpumalanga province. The DFL and local club TS Galaxy are also supporting the initiative, which aims to raise awareness among children of the importance of clean water and hygiene.
Rexhbecaj: "Football is more than just a game"
Defender Elvis Rexhbecaj echoed Tietz's sentiments about the school visit and said, "Moments like these are priceless and show that football is more than just a game."
Augsburg mark tour with memorable school visit
Visiting a primary school in Mbombela, the Augsburg staff and players took great joy in participating in activities with around 400 students. "The school visit was incredibly nice. The children's joy gives us an incredible amount back," said a jubilant Phillip Tietz.
Gouweleeuw: "It's something special"
Jeffrey Gouweleeuw spoke to club media about the trip so far, saying FCA have been given a "special" welcome in South Africa. He said: "It's something special. If you saw how the people welcomed us, it was really great. I can even understand a little bit of Afrikaans as it's a little bit similar to [Dutch]. It's nice."
6:09
Watch: Young Africans SC 1-2 Augsburg - highlights
A good start to the tour for Augsburg.
2-1 win
Mads Pedersen (38') and Phillip Tietz (81') got the goals for Augsburg as Joss Thorup's side emerged victorious, with Young Africans grabbing a consolation goal four minutes from time.
On Saturday, Augsburg played their first game on South African soil, going up against Tanzanian champions Young Africans SC in the Mpumalanga Premier's International Cup.
Local interest
Friday's training session was followed by a media briefing, in which Felix Uduokhai (pictured), Niklas Dorsch and head coach Joss Thorup, among others spoke to South African media representatives.
Head coach Joss Thorup has virtually a full squad of players at his disposal, including fit-again goalkeeper Finn Dahmen. The only two absentees are Nediljko Labrović and Kristijan Jakić, who haven't yet been able to travel to South Africa due to "technical issues", per a club statement.
Working up a sweat
New signing Samuel Essende (c.) gives his Augsburg team-mates a taste of what he's capable of in training.
Despite the long-haul flight from Germany to South Africa, Augsburg are handily still in the same time zone, so jet lag shouldn't be an issue. On Friday the players had a light session of stabilisation exercises before heading to the training pitch at the ANEW Resort White River for the first time.
Augsburg touch down
The Bavarians finally reached South Africa on Thursday night and were given a warm welcome by locals.
Welcome!
Augsburg are spending pre-season outside of Europe for the first time as they head to South Africa between 18 and 28 July. Among their preparations for 2024/25 will be two games at the Mpumalanga Premier’s International Tournament 2024. You can get all the latest updates from their tour on this page.
