Even if the all-clear was given after the injuries to Marc Uth, Davie Selke and Timo Hübers in the cup game in Osnabrück, Steffen Baumgart will probably be without a striker at the start of the league in Dortmund. In addition, the squad is losing pace due to the tense personnel situation on the offensive.
Will have to do without all strikers against BVB: Cologne coach Steffen Baumgart. IMAGO/Herbert Bucco
What does a coach do when he runs out of center forwards before a game at a top club? Logically, he relies on fast switching players to counter. But before the Bundesliga opener at BVB, FC threaten to break two essential elements of their offensive game.
For example, coach Steffen Baumgart is likely to be missing all the strikers that are essential for the FC game, which is designed for many flanks, on Saturday. On the other hand, the absence of various offensive players also slows down the pace that is developed through the position of the second point or the two half-positions in the offensive midfield.
Uth and Selke more than questionable – Adamyan as an alternative
In any case, on Wednesday Uth, who acts as a hanging striker or ten, like center forward Selke, was only able to train individually. It is extremely questionable whether the thigh injuries suffered on Monday in the cup game at VfL Osnabrück (3:1 aet) will allow them to play. Especially with Uth, who comes from a year-long history of injuries with three pubic bone operations, Baumgart should exercise particular caution.
At Selke, the coach still has a residual hope. “We’ll have to wait and see, but we hardly have time to get him going,” said the 51-year-old. It is unlikely that the winter entry will be enough for the starting eleven. As a result, Sargis Adamyan, a playing striker, will have to take over the Selke role, since Steffen Tigges (after a shoulder operation) and Florian Dietz (after a cruciate ligament rupture) still have to work off the backlog.
FC also have to do without Linton Maina, who was out with back problems before the last two friendlies. “Linton is definitely not there. I would be happy if it works out next week,” says Baumgart about the 24-year-old, who can act as a second striker or as an offensive half-position. Due to the longer break for Jan Thielmann (hamstring injury), Cologne’s two fastest attacking players will be out on Saturday.
Baumgart is optimistic about Ljubicic
In an emergency, only one returnee is likely to provide some relief. Dejan Ljubicic, who suffered an ankle injury in the friendly against Nantes, resumed team training on Wednesday and is set to make a comeback. “Things are looking good for Ljubi. We still have two units left and we have to see if he can cope with the strain,” said Baumgart optimistically.
If the Austrian national player does not suffer a setback, his coach promises him a place in the starting XI. If the right midfielder is fit, he will “probably” start in Dortmund. Nevertheless, the already demanding task of the runner-up with the thinned offensive becomes a mammoth task.
2023-08-16 15:46:17
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