FC Augsburg vs Bayer Leverkusen: Diaby's Return
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FC Augsburg face Bayer Leverkusen in the third round of the Bundesliga season on Saturday, September 12. With both teams looking to build early momentum following emphatic recent victories, the tactical battle between managers Manuel Baum and Carles Martínez headlines this weekend's domestic action.
Bayer Leverkusen's Resurgence
Bayer Leverkusen arrive on the back of a resounding 4-0 home victory against Union Berlin. That commanding performance helped banish the memories of their shock defeat to Elversberg—a match where defender Edmond Tapsoba openly took responsibility for the defensive lapses. Manager Carles Martínez has also been boosted by a major development in the transfer market, with the club officially securing the return of dynamic winger Moussa Diaby. With Diaby back in the fold, Leverkusen's attack looks poised to build on the momentum generated by their four-goal display against Union.
Augsburg's Unbeaten Start
The hosts enter Matchday 3 riding a wave of confidence after going unbeaten in their opening two league fixtures. Manuel Baum’s side recently dispatched returning top-flight outfit Schalke 3-0, a dominant display that drew praise even from opposition goalkeeper Loris Karius, who admitted Augsburg thoroughly deserved the points. Anton Kade was a standout performer in that clash, with reports suggesting his bright early-season form has caught the attention of national setup figures like Jürgen Klopp. Augsburg also secured safe passage in the DFB-Pokal alongside Leverkusen, relying on a strong second-half performance to break down their opponents.
Team News and Injury Latest
Both squads face notable selection hurdles ahead of Saturday. Augsburg will be without Steve Mounié, who lacks match fitness, alongside Tim Breithaupt, who is sidelined with a toe issue. Compounding Manuel Baum's problems, the in-form Anton Kade is dealing with a muscular injury, dealing a blow to the hosts' attacking rhythm.
Leverkusen are similarly stretched. New signing Désiré Doué remains absent as he builds his match fitness, while Eliesse Ben Seghir is nursing a hamstring problem. Micah Culbreath (foot), Kenzo Eichhorn (illness), and Martin Terrier are also ruled out for the visitors, forcing Martínez to carefully rotate his squad during these opening weeks.
Securing three points this weekend would cement a strong early-season foundation for either club. Augsburg will aim to maintain their unbeaten streak and validate their strong start, while Leverkusen must string together consistent wins to assert their customary dominance near the top of the table.

