Position
Just one point from six games: The team from Cologne have had a terrible start to the season. The only point gained so far came in a draw at Eintracht Frankfurt (1-1) on matchday three. That stands alongside five defeat against Borussia Dortmund (0-1) VfL Wolfsburg (1-2), TSG Hoffenheim (1-3), Werder Bremen (1-2) and finally a defeat at home to VfB Stuttgart (0-2). As in the other games, the team under coach Steffen Baumgart produced some good football for large stretches of the game against the Swabians. "The lads did a lot of things right," said Baumgart after the game, "but you've got nothing to show for it at the end of the day. It's a lousy situation above all when you put in the effort." But the 51-year-old added: "We have to do better in our moves." The good points in phases of the game have to be produced over the 90 minutes on the pitch. Central defender Timo Hübers takes a similar view looking back at the start to the season: "We haven't been played into submission and we have everything that is needed to be able to compete in the Bundesliga." But there is a lack of consistency and intensity over the full 90 minutes, conceded the 27-year-old.
In spite of the difficult start, calm is evident at the Cologne club. Baumgart is relying on team spirit. "Nobody is pointing a finger at anybody else. We will only get out of this situation together." The coach provided a motto ahead of the game against Stuttgart: "Full steam ahead as a unit." The result was not positive against VfB. But perhaps the next two opponents in this difficult situation are the right ones. First against the Werkself in Leverkusen and then at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach after the international break. "The derby games coming up are something special," said striker Davie Selke. "We know what it means to the people and that we can quickly make things better in games like that." He has good memories of the last clash with the Werkself. Selke was the matchwinner for the Cologne team in last year's 2-1 away win at Leverkusen in May of this year.
Personnel
The injury situation at FC Köln is slowly improving. Eric Martel, who was sorely missed recently, has returned to full training this week following his Achilles tendon injury. But it appears unlikely that the midfielder will start in the game in Leverkusen. More likely is a comeback for Mathias Olesen who missed the last three league games due to a thigh injury. The 22-year-old could play alongside Dejan Ljubicic in holding midfield against the Werkself. Baumgart will probably have to manage without right back Benno Schmitz. The 28-year-old missed the Stuttgart game due to a muscular problem and trained on his own at the start of this week. Leart Paqarada, signed in the summer from FC St. Pauli as a successor to Jonas Hector and a starter in the last six league games, had to drop out of training on Tuesday but returned on Wednesday. Reliable first choices in the centre of defence are the central defenders Jeff Chabot and Timo Hübers, who have been in the starting line-up in all six games alongside the number six Ljubicic and midfielder Florian Kainz. The creative player and new signing Luca Waldschmidt (on loan from VfL Wolfsburg) is also an option for the starting eleven. Baumgart relies on Davie Selke up front, who made the difference in the last derby with a brace, and has scored half of the goals this season for FC Köln with a total of two.
Also ruled out on Sunday are the strikers Mark Uth (rehab training up a muscle injury) and Florian Dietz (rehab training after torn cruciate). And left-back Noah Katterbach (training deficit after a knee operation) plus the attacking midfielder Jan Thielmann (rehab training after muscle injury) are also sidelined.
Performers
Only FC Heidenheim have put in more running per game than the Cologne team who have clocked up an average of 120 kilometres per game. In addition to the intensity of running, robust challenges remain part of the Baumgart approach to the game with the defence solid with high balls having yet to concede a goal from a header. Tidy, compact pressing and counter pressing, the unbound desire and a strong physical presence, much that has marked out FC Köln in the past two years, has not been fully evident this season. At least not over 90 minutes. Bu the players are not lacking in commitment and mentality.
Problems
In spite of the incredible mileage of the team and the highest number of crosses of all Bundesliga clubs, the return has been disappointing and does not reflect the effort involved. The Baumgart team have only scored four goals in six games. Only Eintracht Frankfurt and Mainz have scored equally as few goals. As in last season, a lot goes down the wings. 117 crosses is the highest number but they lack in accuracy: Only 12% find their target. It is similar with the accuracy in finishing and the conversion of chances and clear-cut goalscoring opportunities – FC Köln are bottom in all categories. "We have to make the right decision in front of the opposition goal more often," said Luca Waldschmidt.
Another reason the tricky situation could be the loss of Jonas Hector, who ended his playing career, and Ellyess Skhiri, who joined Eintracht Frankfurt, represent two key players in the FC Köln game who have not yet been adequately replaced. Key performers like the skipper Florian Kainz, the best scorer and provider with six goals and eleven assists last term, have not rediscovered their form of last term. And injury problems in recent weeks have also added to the problems.
Prediction
FC Köln urgently need wins. The Red and Whites are currently a long way from the desired safe mid-table position. On the other hand, they are only five and six points behind Union Berlin and Eintracht Frankfurt. That is not the end of the world and certainly capable of being made up. Now the Cologne team slowly need to get started. They have three important games coming up. Above all, the two derby games at Bayer 04 and at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach should provide an additional boost in terms of emotion. "Those aren't the two games that will be decisive over the season. But it can be very important for the the moment and could be liberating," said defender Leart Paqarada. That is followed by the away game at RB Leipzig and the DFB Pokal tie at FC Kaiserslautern shortly after that. FC Köln face important games in the coming weeks. It does not have to be a glorious October. But everybody at Cologne is hoping for a more friendly outlook at the end of the month.
