Our next opponents: FC Köln
This season is already a success for the team from Cologne. In the best case scenario, Peter Stöger and his players could qualify for the Europa League. Here's the lowdown on our next opponents:
Position
FC Köln are back on course. The Cologne team went four games without a win until last Friday. Werder Bremen were the visitors to the stadium in Müngersdorf and a frenetic encounter ended in a 4-3 win for the hosts. It was no surprise there was a tremendous atmosphere at the ground as FC Köln are in with a chance of qualifying for Europe for the first time in 25 years.
Personnel
As well as the FC Köln squad work as a collective this season there is one player who stands out: Anthony Modeste. The Frenchman is enjoying the season of his life with a tally of 25 goals already – that represents 53 per cent of all goals scored by the team. Modeste bagged a brace on Friday and is working well with the fit again Leonardo Bittencourt. Another player is the rising star of the squad: Lukas Klünter. Almost overnight, the youngster stepped in on the right side of defence as a replacement for Marcel Risse and now it is hard to imagine the side without him.
Potential
The unity of the squad plays a key role at FC Köln – and not just this season. Under coach Peter Stöger along with sporting director/CEO Jörg Schmadtke, the former second division club has developed into a serious challenger for a European spot. The management has shown loyalty to the playing staff in terms of consistency. For players came up from the second division and they are keen to demonstrate their ability.
Problems
A lot is going right with FC Köln this season. The club could already have qualified for European competition except for poor form on the road. Stöger’s team have not won away from home for six matches. The defence has also conceded 445 shots on goal this term. By comparison, the Werkself of conceded 376. FC Köln can be happy they have two impressive goalkeepers in Timo Horn and Thomas Kessler.
Prediction
Will seventh place be enough? That's where FC Köln are at the moment but they do not want to rely on Borussia Dortmund winning the DFB Cup to enable them to qualify for the Europa League. "We have two games to realise our great dream," said Bittencourt. First up are Leverkusen and then Mainz at home. Two competitive clashes.
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