Kicking off their quest for a first-ever DFB-Pokal triumph in this week's first round, Augsburg tackle Regionalliga minnows BW Lohne on Sunday.
The Bundesliga side have never made it past the semi-finals of Germany's national cup, while their Saxon hosts are on the up after promotion from the fifth tier last term.
Match preview
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Ultimately aiming to reach the Olympiastadion finale next spring, Augsburg are seeking to take the very first step towards Berlin by progressing to the second stage of the DFB-Pokal.
Preparing to commence their 2022-23 Bundesliga campaign next weekend, when they host last season's surprise package Freiburg, the Bavarian club were eliminated in the competition's early rounds on their most recent attempt.
After losing on penalties to Bochum last October, Augsburg endured a difficult time in the German top flight, and finished only five points clear of the drop zone in 14th place.
By way of response, the club's board have appointed former Borussia Dortmund coach Enrico Maassen as their new manager, replacing Markus Weinzierl, whose second spell in charge came to an end in May.
Maassen previously led Dortmund's Under-23s to the 3. Liga and arrives in Bavaria with a burgeoning reputation, so the 38-year-old will be keen to make a bright start to competitive action.
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Ahead of Sunday's game, Augsburg twice crushed lowly opponents 5-0 in pre-season friendlies, before being held by both SV Sandhausen and Schalke, and losing to Rennes and Dynamo Ceske Budejovice.
Such a summer programme sets them up for a cup clash with a Blau-Weiss Lohne side riding the crest of a wave, having been promoted from the Oberliga Niedersachsen last season.
The club from Lower Saxony are therefore set to participate in the fourth-tier Regionalliga Nord, and their qualification for the first round of this season's DFB-Pokal comes courtesy of winning the amateur-level Lower Saxony Cup at the end of May.
Lifting the trophy thanks to a 6-5 penalty shootout victory against Heeslinger SC, the Lohner have since prepared for the visit of top-flight opposition with some high-profile friendlies.
Beaten 6-0, 7-0 and 3-1 by PSV, Schalke and Groningen respectively, it is clear that pulling off a giant-killing against Augsburg will prove a tall task indeed for Henning Riesselmann's side.
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Team News
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As new coach Enrico Maassen has promised to field a strong side on Sunday, Augsburg could pair USA forward Ricardo Pepi with new signing Ermedin Demirovic up front.
The former scored 13 times in 31 MLS appearances for hometown club FC Dallas during the 2021 season, but failed to register a goal or assist in 11 outings since his move to Germany in January. Demirovic, meanwhile, has joined from Freiburg, who were beaten in the DFB-Pokal final by RB Leipzig last season.
Another new boy, ex-Wolfsburg midfielder Elvis Rexhbecaj could make his debut too, as Niklas Dorsch is still out for several weeks with a broken toe.
Ruben Vargas and English defender Reece Oxford also remain sidelined by injury, but both could return in time for the Bundesliga's big kickoff next weekend.
Lohne should start with Marek Janssen up front, while former Borussia Dortmund youth product Malte Wengerowski features on the flank.
Following his spectacular strike against Groningen last week, Sandro Heskamp is expected to play a key role in the hosts' midfield.
BW Lohne possible starting lineup:
Dedovic; Massmann, Overmann, Duker; Wengerowski, Neziri, Heskamp, Goldmann, Westerhoff; Janssen, Schepp
Augsburg possible starting lineup:
Gikiewicz; Uduokhai, Gouweleeuw, Gumny; Caligiuri, Rexhbecaj, Maier, Iago; Hahn, Demirovic, Pepi
We say: BW Lohne 1-4 Augsburg
Though it will mark a significant moment in Lohne's history, Sunday's cup clash will go in the favour of their Bundesliga counterparts - and possibly by a wide margin.
The visitors' attacking options should help them leave Heinz-Dettmer Stadion without a hitch, comfortably sealing a place in the second round.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
