It is getting more and more crowded in Müngersdorf. Until yesterday, those responsible for 1. FC Köln were still assuming that they would be able to play the match against promoted Greuther Fürth in front of 33,000 fans, but now around 40,000 spectators will be able to watch this duel on Friday.
The Corona Protection Ordinance of the NRW state government, which came into force on 1 October, made this increase in capacity possible. Managing director Alex Wehrle on the new situation, which is pleasing for FC: “The 8,000 tickets that went on sale on Tuesday were sold out within 20 minutes. That’s why we proactively approached the health department of the city of Cologne to achieve an increase in capacity already against Fürth. This is now possible under the new Corona Protection Ordinance.” The previous home games were watched by 16500 fans on matchday 1 (against Hertha BSC), and 25 000 spectators each came to the Müngersdorf stadium on matchdays 3 and 5 against Bochum and Leipzig. Unlike other Bundesliga venues, Cologne was able to sell out the entire contingents in each case.
Only spectators who have been vaccinated or have recovered will be admitted to the stadium in accordance with the 2G rule. Exceptions are people up to 16 years of age and people who are medically certified as not being able to be vaccinated.
Thielmann is absent due to illness
Not from the bench and not from the stands will Jan Thielmann follow the match. The attacker has to stay in bed due to a stomach bug. His particular misfortune: for the first time, the FC received an invitation from the U21 team for Thielmann, which had to be cancelled due to this illness.
