BILD clarifies the last questions about Europe |
It’s about 10 million euros!
Cologne’s Euro start Thursday against Hungary’s top club Fehervar (8.30 p.m. / RTL). FC wants to set the course for the group stage in the play-off first leg. BILD clarifies the last questions before the European duel.
How strong is the opponent?
A number in Hungary (3x champion / last season 4th place) and behind top club Ferencvaros THE club – against Cologne still a blatant outsider. Nationally it just set a 0-4 defeat against Ferencvaros. FC coach Steffen Baumgart (50) nevertheless warns: “Very high, individual quality and a very large center forward, so we have to pay particular attention to flanks.”
How much pressure is Cologne under?
Everyone expects to get ahead. Because it would be so important financially. Sports boss Christian Keller (43) missed the transfer goal of generating a surplus of 8 million euros. In addition, Cologne gambled away millions in Regensburg (nE) when they were eliminated from the DFB Cup. Europe as the last possible source of income after the major corona losses (86 million euros).
How much money is it?
If FC moves into the group phase, there’s 2.94 million euros for that alone. Every victory beyond that brings the club another 500,000 euros (draw 166,000 euros). The group winner also receives 650,000 euros and there is another 600,000 for the round of 16. There is also spectator income – almost 1.8 million euros per home game. In the end, up to 10 million euros are realistic.
Does Baumgart rotate?
“There will be changes to the last game,” announces Cologne’s coach. But he will not change the team wildly. Schmitz is likely to start for Ehizibue and Baumgart will have two strikers instead of two sixes.
Are there still tickets?
No! Yesterday the last day tickets went over the table. The game is sold out with around 45,000 spectators (Uefa guidelines). About 300 Fehervar fans are expected.
What are the FC fans planning?
The stadium and especially the south curve should cause a stir in red. “Let’s get out the red clothes and show the guys on the pitch that we can pave their way to Prague with our own hands if necessary,” wrote the fans on the Südlinie website. “Our opponents should piss themselves in front of the red wall.”
What jerseys do the pros play in?
There is an extra outfit for the Euro start. The jerseys have red and white stripes, look hand-painted and are already available in the fan shops (79.95 euros).
Cologne will play the games in the Conference League in these jerseys
Who already has euro experience?
Captain Jonas Hector (32) and goalkeeper Timo Horn (29) were already there in the last Euro season 2017/18. Florian Kainz (29) played internationally with Rapid Wien, Sargis Adamyan (29) with Hoffenheim. In addition, Sebastian Andersson (31), Steffen Tigges (23), Benno Schmitz (27), Dejan Ljubicic (24) and Ondrej Duda (27).
Baumgart makes himself euro-fine?
Cologne’s coach remains true to himself and his clothes. He already announced that at BILD: “I’ll stay the way I am and most likely with a tracksuit and T-shirt because it’s just more comfortable.”
Which group opponents would be possible?
A total of 32 clubs start in the group stage. The biggest chunks before the play-off start are Villarreal (Spain), West Ham (England), Florence (Italy) and Antwerp (Belgium).
What if Cologne doesn’t make it through the play-offs?
Despite all the euro euphoria, it would be a disaster for the fans. For the club to cope with, because the Bundesliga is more important. Financially, however, it would hit FC hard and put even more pressure on transfers. One would have to hope to be able to sell players or at least remove them from the payroll in the last few days of August.
