While there is still a question mark over the use of Ellyes Skhiri at Hoffenheim, there is good news from Cologne captain Jonas Hector.
There is still no final all-clear for Ellyes Skhiri. The Tunisian injured himself in a tackle in the international match in Mauritania on Sunday and had to be substituted. The midfielder missed Cologne’s training session on Tuesday morning, underwent treatment and then completed an individual programme. It remains to be seen whether he will be fit for Friday’s game in Hoffenheim. Captain Jonas Hector, on the other hand, returned to team training after an infection, and there should be no obstacles to the left-back’s deployment.
Katterbach struggles through a performance trough
Which is significant in that the FC squad is not currently double-teamed for this position. Noah Katterbach (20), the top talent at this position par excellence and twice awarded the Fritz Walter Medal in gold as the best German young player in his age group, has been struggling through a performance talent for many months and has not been nominated for the squad by coach Steffen Baumgart for weeks.
It is obvious that the young professional is the main reason for this. Too many players have improved under this coach for the cause to be found here first. Katterbach, for example, regularly plays in the regional league team, without, however, being able to recommend himself for the pros in the long term. And because Jannes Horn is not yet ready after his hip operation and is undergoing individual rehabilitation training, FC is temporarily understaffed at left back. Should Hector actually have to miss out, Benno Schmitz would probably move to the left and Kingsley Ehizibue would take over on the right side.