Mark Uth will miss 1. FC Köln on Friday. The captain will return in his place. Despite the current limitations, Coach Baumgart is hotting up on the fans.
On Wednesday, Steffen Baumgart swept the last hope off the table. Mark Uth, ill since the end of last week, will also be unavailable to 1. FC Köln on Friday against FC Augsburg This means that an offensive player is missing who would have been important, especially against an opponent expected to be defensive, with his way of working between the chains. Predictably, Jonas Hector is back. The captain will take his usual place at left-back, with Benno Schmitz moving back to the right side.
Baumgart expects an opponent who will face his team in a similar way to Bielefeld’s Arminia on Saturday – in other words, unpleasant to the maximum. “They are very aggressive and that’s how they work going forward. It’s a stable team that has taken on the relegation fight.” FC have six points more than their opponents, with a win they could collect points 20 to 22, already now the target is fulfilled with 19 points after 14 games. However, FC experienced in Bielefeld that you should never underestimate a relegation candidate – no opponent has allowed less than 100 percent this season.
Baumgart: “Our crowd is so hot and emotional, we can even manage 15,000”
15,000 spectators will be present for the opening of match day 15 in Müngersdorf, more than elsewhere, less than hoped for. The coach also pointed out again on Wednesday that the attendance at the sold-out derby just under a fortnight ago had no negative impact on the pandemic. “Now politics has made this decision. We have to live with it,” said Baumgart and took those who are allowed into the stadium to task: “Our crowd is so hot and emotional, it’s fine with 15,000. “
