Fabian Rieder on Augsburg's table-topping start to the season, the World Cup and more
Augsburg midfielder Fabian Rieder sat down with the Bundesliga to discuss the club's surprise start to the season, which has seen them top the table heading into Matchday 3, as well as his experiences at the FIFA World Cup 2026 with Switzerland.
Bundesliga: How does it feel to be top of the table after the first two matchdays?
Fabian Rieder: "Really nice. We’re all proud of ourselves and the performances. I think it also backs up the path we’ve been on at Augsburg as a team and club. I’m pleased things are going so well, but we also need to remain grounded and realistic, and just keep working hard."
Bundesliga: How have you made such a strong start to the season?
Rieder: "I think it’s because we all battle so hard for each other. We also have the quality on the ball to create a lot. We’ve got so many good players. When we sit deep and defend well, then win the ball back, we can get into so many good moments on transitions, and we also have the quality to see them out. I think it's ultimately due to the fact we’re doing the basics well on and off the ball."
Bundesliga: You have carried on where you left off also, with just one defeat in ten matches going back to last season in all competitions. Can you explain that progress?
Rieder: "The way the squad has been put together is really good. I think we complement each other in every position, and that shows on the pitch. The coach has also been given time. He started making sure we defend really well and can score a goal. When we could do that, we could then bring in more things to improve from there. That has made us a good team."
Bundesliga: What exactly has Manuel Baum focused on to help you develop so well?
Rieder: "The first and most important thing is that we win our duels. I’m a player who wants to have the ball and thinks in an attacking way, but the first priority for me is always to be secure, either pressing from the front or in a deep block, win duels and then use my qualities and technique to open things up when we win the ball or have it ourselves."
Bundesliga: What are your aims for the rest of the season?
Rieder: "I think if we keep going in this flow, we can achieve a lot. I said before the season that top 10 is definitely a goal of mine. I still stand by that, but we’ll see where we end up. I think we’re on the right track to make things tough for every opponent."
Bundesliga: You scored an incredible free-kick against Eintracht Frankfurt - how did you learn to take them so well?
Rieder: "I’ve always had good technique in my left foot, but I’ve also practised it a lot. It started when I was young, and I'm still doing it. I want to improve in all areas, but it’s something you can work on in training through repetition. It's even better when it works out in a match."
Bundesliga: You only scored once on loan to VfB Stuttgart in 2024/25, but now have seven goals for Augsburg at the start of your second season - how have you become so effective?
Rieder: "It’s a lot to do with my position. At Stuttgart I was often out wide. Now here, especially from the end of last season, I moved into central midfield, which is actually my best position and where I can best show my strengths. I run a huge amount, go box to box, can shoot, have quality but am also good defensively. Obviously, I’ve also got weaknesses in my game, but I think that’s the position where I can best develop. You see how good I feel at the club, in the team and in my position."
Bundesliga: You are still just 24, but played in your third major international tournament with Switzerland at the World Cup in the summer. What have you gained from those experiences?
Rieder: "It’s huge. It’s sometimes hard to describe what you take in there, especially as a young player. I just try to soak it all up and also learn from other players in the team. We’ve got players like Granit Xhaka and Manuel Akanji who’ve achieved so much - not just for the national team but also at club level. Seeing how they deal under pressure is impressive. I try to watch and learn a bit and take it back to my club."
