The team from the cathedral city recently suffered a first setback. FC Köln lost 5-0 away to TSG Hoffenheim on the last matchday – and keeper Timo Horn did not mince his words after the game: "Hoffenheim took us to the cleaners and gave us a good hiding today," declared the goalkeeper but he simultaneously set out the approach to the next games: "Now it's time to brush ourselves off, not think about it too much and carry on." There is no need for any doom mongering in Cologne as the start under the new coach Steffen Baumgart has been excellent. Up until last Friday in Sinsheim, the team, who just avoided relegation last season in the play-offs, had only lost away to FC Bayern and they received very good reports on their performance in that game. Under Baumgart, FC Köln are playing attractive, energetic and attacking football and have not lost a home game yet ahead of the derby. Seventh place after eight games is an outstanding interim position for the club after last season's difficulties. After the derby against the Werkself, FC Köln have an away game at VfB Stuttgart in the DFB Cup.
The international break has cost Köln perhaps their most important player to date this season. Midfielder Ellyes Skhiri suffered an injury in a game with Tunisia and, after a period of uncertainty, the diagnosis followed this week: The Köln speed merchant has a fracture of the fibula and he will be out of action for several weeks. A really bitter blow as Skhiri was the guarantee for balance in the Köln game with his running and he has also scored three goals in the current campaign. His position in a holding midfield against Hoffenheim was taken by Salih Özcan. There is a strong indication that Dejan Ljubicic will start in the derby. The new signing missed the game in Sinsheim due to an infection but returned to training this week. It also appears possible that Baumgart will move away from a 4-4-2 diamond formation to a 4-2-3-1 line-up with two holding midfielders.
In addition to Ljubicic, Jonas Hector returned this week after the missing the last game due to a cold. And Jannes Horn, his back up on the left side of defence, also trained again after a long injury lay-off but he is not an option for the game on Sunday. There are also question marks over midfielder Niklas Hauptmann and centre forward Sebastian Andersson who missed training due to illness. If Andersson does not play, then Jan Thielmann could move into the centre of the attack from the wing – or Anthony Modeste could play up front on his own in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Baumgart football means power, pressing and presence. The Köln approach to games is always aimed at getting on the front foot but it is also based on high-intensity in working against the ball. FC have made the second most tackles in the league and have a return of 52% won. One special strength of the Köln side is their wing play. Of all the Bundesliga clubs, Baumgart's team have put in the most crosses – knowing full well that two excellent headers of the ball await in the middle in the shape of Modeste and Andersson. It's no surprise that Köln have already scored four goals from headers this term and only Stuttgart (five) have more.
In order to make the attractive attacking system of the new coach work, there is a need for great discipline off the ball, determination in challenges and high concentration levels in possession as losing the ball can quickly lead to problems. All that was missing in Sinsheim, as central defender Rafael Czichos made clear was: "We made too many mistakes, individual mistakes in our game going forwards," he explained. "We were not aggressive enough in challenges, were always a step too late and you can't win like that." It could remain tricky for Köln if the team does not completely absorb the new approach.
Baumgart's plan has worked incredibly quickly at FC Köln and minor setbacks as in Hoffenheim should have been taken into account by the club management in view of the change of philosophy. If the team can remain free of injury to key players then Köln should not get involved in a relegation battle this season – a success looking back at last term. In the short term, the club is obviously looking forward to the derby on Sunday. "We are at home and we will do all we can to ensure this match is different from the one at Hoffenheim and gain a win," said Baumgart.
With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Thomas Eichin has been working for Bayer 04 for six years – as Director of Professional Teams since July 2023 – and has contributed to the successful development of our club in many areas. Today, Friday 9 October, Freiburg-born Eichin is celebrating his 60th birthday. We wish him a very happy birthday.
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Together with his family, friends and close associates, Bayer 04 Leverkusen bid farewell to Peter Hermann. The club’s long-serving assistant manager passed away on 19 September following a serious illness. Today, Thursday 8 October, Bayer 04 held an event attended by around 200 invited guests to commemorate Peter Hermann’s legacy. Representatives from the DFB and the other professional clubs where Hermann worked paid their respects to him at the BayArena.
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