The Bundesliga fixture calendar has thrown up a meeting with FC Augsburg between the two semi-final matches against Paris Saint-Germain. The game at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK will get under way at 15:30 CEST on Saturday.

Three days after the first leg and three days before the return leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, FC Augsburg will visit SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. "We came through it well," said BVB coach Edin Terzic in reference to the personnel situation in his squad after the 1-0 victory over PSG. Only Sebastien Haller did not feel good during the warm-up, so "we will not take any risks. We're confident that he'll be okay for the squad again on Tuesday."  

Nonetheless, there will be changes to the starting line-up on Saturday compared to the Champions League game. The coach had previously made six changes to his team for the away game in Mönchengladbach between the quarter-final matches against Atlético Madrid and also announced there would be rotation against Augsburg. "It was physically and emotionally very demanding. We're thinking about how we can bring energy and freshness into our game," said Terzic. It could be that youngster Kjell Wätjen, who has frequently been in the matchday squad, makes his Bundesliga debut. "The game offers the possibility to give the lads who have recently had less playing time a chance," said Terzic, who is certain "that we'll have a really good team on the pitch". For although BVB have achieved their minimum objective by qualifying for the Champions League next season, fourth place is still achievable with Leipzig five points clear with three rounds of matches still to play. "Theoretically, it is still possible to finish higher. As long as we can improve our position in the table, we will try to do that."

His team also have some amends to make following the 4-1 defeat in Leipzig last weekend. Their opponents Augsburg will make the journey to Dortmund on the back of two defeats against Bremen and Frankfurt. "They've now had two slightly poorer games, but I believe that they've found themselves. They've continued to consolidate their procedures," said Terzic, who emphasised: "They were on a really good run. They have strongly improved their position in the table in a matter of weeks. FCA are still benefitting from that run in March: Augsburg are currently in eighth position (39 points) in the table and could still leapfrog Freiburg (40) into seventh place and secure themselves an international berth. Even Frankfurt (45) in sixth place could theoretically still be overtaken.

BVB played out a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in Augsburg in mid-December. The Black & Yellows have won their last five home games against the Bavarian Swabians by a combined scoreline of 18-9 – an average of more than five goals per match. BVB want to be successful again on Saturday. Terzic: "We're playing at home in front of 81,000 spectators. It's a Bundesliga match. We have some amends to make."
Christina Reinke

BVB TV by 1&1: The press conference prior to the match against Augsburg