Almost gone, suddenly back in the thick of things – and really fit too: Sebastian Andersson is becoming increasingly important for 1. FC Köln.
For Sebastian Andersson, what applies to many of his Cologne colleagues is true: If it had been up to those who often confuse the real football business with a manager’s game, he should have at least changed clubs, but more likely ended his career. Andersson sensed the dislike, doubted the sporting prospects and, shortly before the transfer window closed, surprised everyone with his desire to move to Antalyaspor in Turkey. The venture fell through, Andersson stayed, and the sceptics saw themselves vindicated.
Today, there is no more talk of scepticism. On Friday, the Swede scored his first goal of the season in the all-important 3:1 win against SpVgg Greuther Fürth. The bets are on that there will be more. Since knee problems prevented him from working continuously at the beginning of last season, he has experienced constant ups and downs of hope and frustration. The first highlight came under Friedhelm Funkel, two goals in the relegation second leg in Kiel meant a strong sign.
Baumgart as a support for the psyche
The reservations remained, but Andersson’s condition changed. As with Anthony Modeste, Steffen Baumgart played a decisive role for the psyche of his second attacker. He encouraged his centre-forward, had the physios work out a fitness programme for him and gave him all the time in the world. The therapy worked. Andersson showed up more and more often at the regular training sessions, which lasted longer and longer for him. “He has really bitten into it,” says sporting director Jörg Jakobs, who noted on Friday: “His physicality now enables him to play the way he does. He’s collecting playing minutes without end and still trains normally. That speaks for him. He has got over the point now. “
“He’s there, he’s doing and doing and he’s better than many expected. “
STEFFEN BAUMGART ON SEBASTIAN ANDERSSON
And is an important factor for his coach. Baumgart sees himself confirmed: “He’s there, he’s doing and doing and he’s better than many expected.” Andersson regularly runs more than ten kilometres per game, gets balls in depth, starts the build-up, closes down the opposing six and vehemently seeks every duel on the ground and in the air. All in all, he is an alternative with a lot of room for improvement. And that is more than most fans and observers gave him credit for.
