Gregoritsch Reflects on Bundesliga Return and Friendship with Khedira

Augsburg striker Michael Gregoritsch recently expressed his feelings about returning to the Bundesliga sooner than anticipated with one of his former clubs. The Austrian international had a modest impact during Thursday night’s 1-1 draw against Union Berlin, aside from an unfortunate collision with FCU captain Rani Khedira early in the match.

“It was an emotional occasion,” Gregoritsch shared in the mixed zone at WWK Arena. “I felt really sorry for Rani. I genuinely wanted to avoid him, but he unexpectedly turned away, and I collided with him. Rani is one of my closest friends in football, and I immediately apologized. It was uncomfortable for me as I didn’t intend for it to happen. I continued to apologize throughout the game and promised him that our next meal would be on me.”

With his new club facing relegation challenges, Gregoritsch emphasized his understanding of the expectations placed upon him. Despite the difficult start to 2026, marked by a significant loss against Borussia Mönchengladbach and the draw against Union, he remains positive about the team’s potential for improvement.

“I truly missed the Bundesliga and am thrilled to be back,” Gregoritsch noted. “After returning from Denmark, I had a lengthy winter break and not much training time. It’s evident that the team is slightly unsettled, but they are fundamentally good players with considerable quality. As one of the more experienced members, it’s my responsibility to provide support. I believe we are improving, and I’m optimistic about our prospects.”

Augsburg head coach Manuel Baum echoed Gregoritsch’s sentiments during his pre-match press conference. Acknowledging the tight turnaround following the Bundesliga fixture, Baum stated his intention to establish a consistent squad moving forward.

“There might be some changes, but I prefer to avoid rotating the squad too much because we need a solid core,” said Baum. “Several players have past connections with Freiburg. Regarding Gregoritsch, I asked him today, and he mentioned that he feels really good. So, it’s likely that he will start again.”