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Augsburg (dpa) - Coach Heiko Herrlich wants to take “a big step” with FC Augsburg in the home game against penultimate 1. FC Köln to stay in the Bundesliga.
"We absolutely want to win so that Cologne can no longer catch up with us," said Herrlich on Thursday.
The FCA is seven points ahead of Cologne in the opening game of the 31st match day.
For Herrlich, the final spurt of the season is about "enduring the tension of the nerves".
The Augsburgers have only got one point in the last three games and have not scored a goal.
The Cologne team surprised in the English week in the second game under coach Friedhelm Funkel with a 2-1 win against RB Leipzig.
"Something like that gives a team a lot of self-confidence," commented Herrlich.
In defense, the FCA coach has to do without central defender Felix Uduokhai, who was suspended after the fifth yellow card.
But captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw is fit again after a head injury.
Rani Khedira is injured, but could play again after a yellow card ban, as did Daniel Caligiuri, who also had to pause at 0-2 in Frankfurt.
Michael Gregoritsch, who has a cold, is likely to fail.
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© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210422-99-310686 / 2
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Cologne coach Funkel for the game in Augsburg