FC Cologne can continue to hope that Anthony Modeste will be available for the derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach However, should the goal-scorer drop out, FC would have sufficient options.
The training session on Wednesday morning took place without Anthony Modeste. The injury to his hip and pelvis, which he sustained when he was fouled by Stefan Bell from Mainz last Sunday, had not subsided enough for the Frenchman to be able to play. He worked individually, but was already able to walk without discomfort. And so there is hope that Cologne’s top scorer will be able to take part in the derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach. It is assumed that the pain will be reduced day by day, there is no loss of substance in view of the short break.
Andersson is ready
If Modeste is still out, Sebastian Andersson will move into the centre of attack and replace the Frenchman on a one-to-one basis. It is still open, however, how things will look behind him. The opponents from Mönchengladbach have recently impressed with their determined switching play, a block of four in central midfield with Koné, Neuhaus, Hofmann and Stindl – supplemented by striker Plea – shone against promoted Fürth The Cologne side will have to counter this with a real pound of
Özcan demands derby toughness
Which is why it is entirely possible that coach Steffen Baumgart will rely on a more defensively oriented three-man line-up with Skhiri, Ljubicic and Özcan. Three long runners, three good tacklers, three disciplined players who nevertheless know where the goal is.
Florian Kainz and Mark Uth would come into play in front of them behind the striker. “Gladbach has a very good team. We have to keep the spaces tight “ demands Salih Özcan, who scored his first ever Bundesliga goal in the recent 1-1 draw with Mainz. His insight: “Letting them play would be a mistake.” He sees himself as being “a bit more on steam “ for Saturday and the derby. He wants to try to be “a bit harder” in the duels, “that’s part of it!
