The friends of 1. FC Köln could feel flattered by the provocations that reached the Geißbockheim from the other side of the Rhine. Bayer Leverkusen’s communications department had tried to boost the sluggish ticket sales for the European Cup game against BK Häcken: Anyone who wants to see artistic attacking football should come to the BayArena, while anyone who “likes to watch the relegation battle” is “probably a Cologne fan.” had been announced on social media.
Steffen Baumgart skillfully accepted the template. “First of all, you have to say that Leverkusen plays really good football – for me, the best football at the moment,” said the Cologne coach, but: “If you want to see even more beautiful (football) – with more emotions and in a full stadium, for that You don’t have to call for the fans to come – they come to us. As always!” In general: “There is a big club and there is a not so big club. FC stands above everything in this region.”
That worked, even if the thesis that football is even more beautiful is debatable. After all, Leverkusen is first in the table after some exciting games, while Cologne is in the relegation zone with just one point from four games and the most harmless attack in the league. But the situation before the away game at Werder Bremen on Saturday (6.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on Sky) is by no means as bleak as the numbers seem.
“In terms of points, we are nowhere near where we could be,” said Baumgart, but “I have guys who are pushing, who are doing and doing, I believe that we are on the right track in terms of play and performance.” Cologne always has intensity and dedication to offer, even if it hurts that they haven’t been able to reduce the gap to Leverkusen for a quarter of a century.
It is conceivable that the time with Baumgart will one day be remembered as the starting point for such a development. The quality of the individual players is not at the level of the top third of the table, but the team’s passionate football makes people happy, and the club management is now very prudent with money. On this basis, Baumgart would like to see a development comparable to Eintracht Frankfurt, which has been targeted in a strategy paper called “FC Matchplan” since 2021.
In 2015, Eintracht was “in a similar place in terms of sport” and “then managed to get out of there through many successes,” Baumgart said again this week. “We are not only a traditional location, but also a location where we can achieve a lot. And my goal is to get to the top anyway, this season too.” Although this season carries the risk of being more difficult than the first two years under the coach who has won the hearts of Cologne.
In the summer, two key players left the team: captain Jonas Hector (end of career) and strategist Ellyes Skhiri (Frankfurt), and there was no money for equivalent replacements. The club’s most important strength therefore remains Baumgart’s ability to push young players or professionals who were previously playing below their potential in other clubs to their performance limits. And stick to the offensive game idea with an almost radical consequence.
CAS made no judgment for the time being
“We will remain completely within ourselves, we will completely try to implement what has made us strong.” However, the failures may leave their mark and fuel doubts. Especially since this dark cloud of uncertainty hovers over the future of the club. This week, the CAS International Court of Arbitration for Sport heard a hearing about a suspended transfer ban imposed on the club by the world association FIFA following a possible violation of rules in the signing of U-19 player Jaka Cuber Potocnik.
The FC defends itself before the CAS, which, however, did not make a judgment for the time being and told the “Kölnische Rundschau” when asked: “After the hearing has concluded, the arbitral committee responsible for the matter will deliberate and prepare the arbitral award with its decision.” This could take many weeks take time, possibly months.
Published/Updated: Recommendations: 1 A comment from Daniel Theweleit Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 1 Published/Updated: Recommendations: 1
This means it remains unclear when those responsible will be able to further develop the team through transfers and whether they will not be allowed to sign any players during two transfer periods, as stated in the original ruling. “For me it is crucial that we keep our focus,” said Baumgart, who is confident that he can do that. Because so far this trainer has always found suitable answers. And be it provocations from Leverkusen.
