At 1. FC Köln Jonas Hector returns. Coach Steffen Baumgart can give the back four its “normal” face again on Friday against Augsburg.
In all likelihood, 1. FC Köln will also have to do without Mark Uth on Friday. The offensive all-rounder is ill, was already absent in Bielefeld and, as things stand, will not be in the line-up against FC Augsburg either. Uth was absent from training on Tuesday.
Captain Jonas Hector is back after overcoming problems in his thigh, so the problems on the defensive outsides should be solved. In Bielefeld, right-back Benno Schmitz had to switch to the left side and Kingsley Schindler defended on the right – but this was more bad than good.
Baumgart tried not to make Jonas Hector’s importance immeasurable these days (“We haven’t won an away game with him either!”), but he will nevertheless be happy about the return of his captain and key player. On his value to the team, the coach said, “Basically, you have to say that Jonas makes a lot of difference. He brings security and calmness. He is quite simply our only stable left-back at the moment. “
Because this is the case, Baumgart will be suitably happy to be able to give the back four its “normal” face again on Friday against FCA.
Freshly motivated Salih Özcan will go into the match. Ellyes Skhiri’s injury washed him into the team weeks ago. After his recovery, however, he remained in the starting line-up, cleaned up in defensive midfield and scored two important goals. The reward: The fans of 1. FC Köln voted him “Player of the Month November”, a nice confirmation for the homegrown player.
Corona infections will no longer be made public with immediate effect
Away from the pitch, the FC leadership decided not to publicly communicate Corona infections of its employees in the future. Certainly an understandable measure with regard to medical confidentiality and the personal rights of those affected. Last week, the club had announced the one hundred percent vaccination rate in the squad and staff.
