Bundesliga season preview: FC Ingolstadt 04
With not long until the 2016/17 Bundesliga season gets under way, it is high time to put each club's upcoming campaign under the microscope. bundesliga.com's previews will provide you with all you need to know ahead of the big kick-off on 26 August…
Big question
Next up are FC Ingolstadt 04…
Only founded in 2004, Ingolstadt defied the odds to secure survival in their maiden Bundesliga campaign last time out. Inspirational coach Ralph Hasenhüttl has since departed for pastures new at RB Leipzig, with former Karlsruher SC boss Markus Kauczinski taking over in his stead at the Audi Sportpark.
Watch: How Ingolstadt defied the odds in 2015/16
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The coach may be different, but the aim for Ingolstadt remains the same: to stay up. To that end, Kauczinski has vowed that he will not stray too far from Hasenhüttl's successful formula of last season. "I want to keep the nucleus of last season, because that's what the team believes in and does well," the new coach told German sports daily Kicker recently.
New faces
Coach
Key man
Watch: back to the roots with Dario Lezcano:
As of to underline his immediate importance to the team, Dario Lezcano featured in every Bundesliga game for Ingolstadt after joining in the January transfer window. The Paraguayan forward registered two goals and four assists in that time, but it was his relentless pressing and harrying from the front that most caught they eye. Expect Lezcano to hit the ground running this season and thrive once again.
Key dates
Die Schanzer get their season under way against Hamburg at the Volksparkstadion, before their second away trip of the season - on Matchday 3 - takes them to the champions FC Bayern München. Other highlights include welcoming Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 8.
Click here to see Ingolstadt's full schedule
Home ground
Ingolstadt play their football at the Audi Sportpark, a purpose-built 15,800-seater stadium.
Watch: get to know the Audi Sportpark in the exclusive video tour below: