FC Schalke 04 is officially back in Germany’s top-flight after winning last season’s 2. Bundesliga, but the vibes around their defense are already murky heading into their first match against FC Augsburg. The Royal Blues are hitting the road for their Bundesliga opener, and after their last promotion ended in immediate relegation, everyone’s watching how they start.
Augsburg’s Battle to Stay Up Continues
FC Augsburg is gearing up for their 16th consecutive Bundesliga season, a streak they absolutely want to keep alive. Manuel Baum’s return as coach was a huge factor in them avoiding relegation last season, and the 46-year-old is now permanently appointed. You know he’s targeting an even better campaign this time around. The Bavarians also managed to keep some key guys home this summer, with Chrislain Matsima and Mert Kömür staying put after Premier League transfer talks fell through. Kömür, now sporting the number 10, was a late sub in their cup win over Energie Cottbus, but don’t be surprised to see him in the starting lineup this time. Plus, summer signing Calvin Brackelmann is a real candidate to step in for Kevin Schlotterbeck, who’s off to Southampton.
Džeko’s Return and Schalke’s Defensive Woes
On the other side, Schalke made a massive move by extending Edin Džeko’s contract, and the 40-year-old striker already showed why in the DFB-Pokal last week. He came off the bench against Hallescher and dropped a brace *and* an assist! That’s insane production from a veteran. However, the big question mark is their defense. While they had strong defensive numbers last season, pre-season results and that cup tie against a lower-division side suggested they might not be repeating that strong form. Dejan Ljubičić is set to start after shutting down transfer rumors, and new signings Robin Gosens and Junior Dina Ebimbe are also candidates for the starting lineup. This game is also a big one for Džeko, marking his first Bundesliga appearance since way back in December 2010! Talk about a comeback.
This opening match closes out the first matchweek, and it’s a huge test for both sides right out of the gate. Can Augsburg keep their top-flight streak alive, or will Schalke prove they belong and avoid another quick trip back down? Every tackle, every pass, every shot in this one will tell us a lot about what kind of season these teams are really in for.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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