VfL Wolfsburg will be looking for their second win of the season on Saturday in the away match against FC Augsburg. The performances of Paul Simonis’ team have not yet matched the club’s ambitions, but there is strong confidence in the Dutch coach. ‘We knew there was a lot of work ahead of us.’
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VfL Wolfsburg will be looking for their second victory of the season on Saturday when they travel to Bavaria to face FC Augsburg at the WWK Arena. Kick-off is set for 15:30 on October 4, 2025, in what is shaping up to be a crucial fixture for both sides early in the Bundesliga campaign.
The Wolves enter the match sitting in twelfth place in the table with five points from their opening five matches, a return that has not lived up to the pre-season ambitions set out by the club. Augsburg, meanwhile, are struggling even more, positioned sixteenth and desperate to climb out of the relegation zone. For both teams, the contest represents not just three points, but also an opportunity to set the tone for the weeks ahead.
Pressure has been mounting externally on Wolfsburg after a series of inconsistent displays. German tabloid BILD went as far as to claim before the recent defeat to RB Leipzig that “the pressure is increasing.” Yet within the club, the message remains calm and unified. Sporting director Peter Christiansen dismissed the talk of growing unrest and offered a strong public vote of confidence in head coach Paul Simonis, who is only in his second season in charge.
Speaking to Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung, Christiansen was categorical about the club’s stance. “Our confidence in Paul and his staff is strong,” he stressed. “We see every day how they work, both on and off the pitch. Our task is to build a club with a clear vision. That requires creating a stable foundation on which the club can be sustainably successful. Too often we only look at results. I understand that, but we must see the bigger picture.”
Christiansen, who moved from FC Copenhagen to Wolfsburg a year and a half ago, played a central role in hiring Simonis, a Dutch coach known for his tactical detail and emphasis on structured pressing. The long-term expectation is clear: to guide Die Wölfe back into European competition, ideally the UEFA Europa League or even the Champions League. However, that pathway has been far from smooth.
“Look at the missed chances against Leipzig and the late goals conceded against FSV Mainz 05 and 1. FC Köln,” Christiansen pointed out. “In every match there were good elements. We could easily have more points and be higher up the table. This is why we must keep perspective.”
Indeed, Wolfsburg’s performances have often contained encouraging passages of play, but lapses in concentration and a lack of clinical finishing have cost them dearly. That inconsistency has prevented them from building early momentum, and Saturday’s trip to Augsburg is viewed internally as an opportunity to flip the narrative.
Simonis himself has acknowledged the work still ahead. “We knew there was a lot of work to be done,” he admitted during the pre-match press conference on Thursday, alluding to the numerous squad changes made in the summer. Key players departed, fresh signings arrived, and the squad is still adapting to the demands of his philosophy. “For the way we want to build the club, those choices were necessary. Everyone is committed to walking this path together.”
Team selection, however, will be affected by absences. Jesper Lindström is sidelined due to illness, while Mathys Angely is unavailable with an injury. On top of that, striker Jonas Wind remains a major doubt, still struggling with a calf issue. “There’s still a question mark,” Simonis confirmed, effectively ruling the Danish forward out of the starting eleven.
That opens the door for 19-year-old Dzenan Pjecinovic, who is set to lead the line. “With Mohammed Amoura and Jonas we have two different types of forwards, but for this match we believe Dzenan is the best choice,” Simonis explained. “I’m very pleased with his development. He plays with great intensity, and that’s something we really appreciate.”
For Pjecinovic, this could be a defining opportunity to show he belongs at Bundesliga level. Wolfsburg fans have already seen flashes of his talent, but a consistent run of form is now needed. His energy and willingness to press from the front could prove decisive against an Augsburg defense that has looked fragile in recent weeks.
As for Augsburg, the home side come into the match desperate to stop the slide. Their campaign so far has been marred by defensive errors and missed chances, and with just one win in their first five games, the pressure on coach Jess Thorup is also increasing. Playing at the WWK Arena, they will look to impose themselves physically and disrupt Wolfsburg’s rhythm.
For Wolfsburg, Saturday is about more than just the three points. It is about silencing the outside noise, rewarding the faith of the management, and sending a message to the rest of the Bundesliga that they are still capable of competing at a higher level. A win would not only lift them up the table but also inject confidence into a squad that has shown potential without delivering consistent results.
The spotlight will inevitably fall on Simonis. Appointed with a long-term vision, he is well aware that football is often judged in the short term. “Of course results matter,” Christiansen admitted. “But our project is bigger than just one or two games. We want to create something sustainable. That takes time, and we believe Paul is the right man to lead that journey.”
For now, all eyes turn to the WWK Arena. The challenge is clear: find consistency, seize chances, and return from Augsburg with a much-needed victory.
Updated: 04:10, 2 Oct 2025
