Augsburg beats Energie Cottbus 2-0 in DFB-Pokal as Wollitz calls for transfers

Augsburg secures advancement in Cottbus

FC Augsburg advanced to the second round of the DFB-Pokal with a 2-0 victory against 2. Bundesliga side FC Energie Cottbus. The Bundesliga visitors faced intense resistance from the newly promoted hosts throughout the encounter in Cottbus. Anton Kade broke the deadlock in the 50th minute to give Augsburg the lead, which helped settle the match following a contested first half. Cottbus continued to push forward with emotional commitment, but Augsburg secured the result in stoppage time when Kristijan Jakic scored in the 95th minute.

Defensive relief and lessons for the Bundesliga opener

Augsburg head coach Manuel Baum acknowledged that the victory required considerable defensive labor rather than dominant control. Baum noted technical errors in his side's ball retention and recovery, yet he credited Cottbus for delivering a test that matched top-flight intensity.

It was a match at Bundesliga level and we now go in well prepared.

Goalkeeper Finn Dahmen expressed satisfaction with keeping a clean sheet after conceding nine goals in pre-season matches against Premier League clubs AFC Bournemouth (2-5) and Leeds United (0-4). The 28-year-old goalkeeper emphasized that while defensive structure off the ball requires further work, advancing in the cup tournament was the primary objective ahead of the Bundesliga opening fixture against FC Schalke 04 on Sunday.

We can still improve in many areas. Off the ball things did not fit, even though we kept a clean sheet. With the ball we are capable of playing more calmly. In almost all areas there is room for improvement, but we are through and that is what counts.

Wollitz demands squad reinforcements

Despite the competitive showing against a top-tier opponent, Energie Cottbus manager Claus-Dieter Wollitz offered a critical assessment of his squad. The 61-year-old coach warned against complacency following a cup defeat, emphasizing that moral victories do not secure points during a challenging second-division campaign. Wollitz stated that the team needs to improve its overall squad depth and that current options remain insufficient.

Wollitz urged club leadership to take transfer risks before the summer window closes on 1 September. The attacking department remains an area of concern due to the injury absence of forward Erik Engelhardt. Although teenage signing Dmytro Bogdanov received substitute minutes against Augsburg, Wollitz cautioned against placing excessive expectations on the young player.

I maintain that we have to become more willing to take risks. If we do not, twelve months can pass quickly and then you look at each other and say, why did we not...

Focus turns to upcoming league fixtures

Energie Cottbus must quickly transition from the cup elimination as they prepare to host SpVgg Greuther Fürth in the 2. Bundesliga on Saturday. Wollitz stressed that building confidence following a loss requires dedicated effort during training sessions rather than relying on praise from a cup exit. He stated that intensive work in the upcoming training week remains the key to steady league performance.

Augsburg also faces the task of converting a hard-fought cup victory into sustained form for the league. In the previous campaign under former head coach Sandro Wagner, Augsburg won 2-0 against Halleschen FC in the opening cup round but subsequently managed only one victory from their first five league matches. Baum and his squad aim to avoid a similar dip when they host FC Schalke 04.