Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 9y

In-form Augsburg look to upset Bayern Munich in Bundesliga again

FC Augsburg are preparing for the biggest match in their Bundesliga history when they host neighbours Bayern Munich on Saturday, and coach Markus Weinzierl is hoping to cause another shock.

Augsburg are the team of the moment in Germany, after four consecutive wins catapulted them to third in the table.

It was Augsburg who ended Bayern's dream of going the whole season undefeated back in April, when Sascha Molders scored the only goal in front of a packed SGL Arena. This still stands as Bayern's last away loss in Bundesliga.

Bayern have only failed to take maximum points on three occasions this season, opening up a seven-point gap over second-placed Wolfsburg, and Weinzierl is ready to welcome the runaway leaders.

"This is an absolute highlight," Augsburg coach Weinzierl, 39, told kicker. "To have that kind of situation [third in the league] 15 games into the season is a sensation for FC Augsburg. We will relish every moment."

Weinzierl, who played for Bayern's reserve team between 1995 and 1999, remained realistic, and is eager to manage expectations ahead of the clash.

"It would be normal for Bayern to win it. But what's normal in this Bundesliga year? We will do all we can to achieve the sensation," he added.

"You need a bit of luck for a draw or even a victory against Bayern. We must excel ourselves, Bayern must not be not allowed to show their best performance."

Regardless of the outcome on Saturday, Weinzierl said that Augsburg have played two outstanding calendar years. In his first half year as the club's coach, they only picked up nine points and were 10 points adrift in the relegation zone.

Instead of panicking and firing their coach, Augsburg installed former Germany international Stefan Reuter as the sporting director and from there the only way has been up for the Bavarians.

"It might be the result of hard work, great will and growing confidence, but we have good players with a good character," Weinzierl added. "Looking at where we were in late-2012, when we only had nine points in the winter, and compare that to our last two years, it is extraordinary.

"The base for all of our success is that good character in the squad, the down-to-earth mentality, the realism, the trust and the will to win games or turn them around -- that is what stands out at FCA."

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