Finally ! Winner 0-1, last Sunday in Kaiserslautern – an achievement! – FC Cologne grabbed first place in the standings just in time to be crowned autumn champions in 2. Bundesliga.
A title that is certainly symbolic, already won in 2000, 2003 and 2014 but each time, the club would then return to the Bundesliga, without ever having been dislodged from pole position.
The head of Austrian coach Gerhard Struber (ex-Red Bulls of New York and Salzburg) was however on the verge of falling at the end of October, when FC were twelfth after ten days, having lost 1-2 against Paderborn.
An example for Antwerp and Standard
But since then the Rhineland team has gone seven matches in a row without defeat, including only one division, 2-2, conceded in the 86th minute (an own goal from Florian Kainz) against Hanover.
The reason for this rebirth is quite simple.
Even if it still misses a lot of chances, the team has indeed regained its offensive efficiency, despite the injury of its scorer Tim Lemperle (9 goals and 4 assists in 18 matches) who wants to leave.
But above all, confidence returned to all lines thanks to the change of goalkeeper.
The young Jonas Urbig, 21, may well be presented as the future Manuel Neuer, but he started very badly during the opening match against Hamburg (1-2), and rarely impressed, on the contrary, sometimes, after this incredible blunder .
He could also be loaned during the winter transfer window to get back on track, or even sold altogether.
It was therefore the return of Marvin Schwabe, 29, stuck on the bench after a frustrating summer of failed transfers, which put the club back in the saddle in the fight for a comeback.
He has only conceded three goals in eight matches, including the 3-0 Cup victory against Holstein Kiel.
This could give ideas to Standard and Antwerp, who are doing without the talents and experience of Arnaud Bodart and Jean Butez for the same reasons, with mixed results.
The paradox of the winter transfer window: strengthening the team without unbalancing it!
Terribly handicapped by a transfer ban which finally expires on December 31, FC Cologne today finds itself faced with an unexpected paradox.
He of course wants to strengthen himself, but sparingly, so as not to risk unbalancing the team which completed the first round at the top of the competition.
The arrival of Sturm Graz right-back Jusuf Gazibegovic (24 years old) is practically confirmed, but things are stuck as far as his teammate Gregory Wüthrich (30 years old), central defender, is concerned.
Ivan Prtajin (28), a striker rarely used by Union Berlin, is on the list, but also on those of other clubs, as is winger Julian Hettwers, a prospect for Borussia Dortmund. In addition, the upcoming arrival of a new coach at the Union risks changing the situation…
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Franz Roggow and second-team goalkeeper Marcel Lotka are reportedly the subject of offers next summer.
In terms of departures, the ex-Brugeois of the Club Sargis Adamyan (31 years old) and two other attackers, Steffen Tigges (26 years old) and Florian Dietz (26 years old) who are very little used, could leave…
Seven descents and six ascents!
FC will prepare for the second part of the season in Estepona, Spain, from January 3 to 10, 2025.
FC Cologne were relegated for the seventh time last season, following previous runs in 1997, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2012 and 2018.
It went back to 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2014 and 2019.
Waiting for 2025…
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