The conditions were quite favorable for a new edition of a classic football fairy tale after Justin Diehl stepped onto the pitch in Müngersdorf. It was 1-1 in Cologne’s game against 1. FC Heidenheim and now the home-grown team, which has been very present in the local press for a long time, was able to play in the Bundesliga for a longer period of time for the first time after two very short appearances last season. The 19-year-old was immediately present, hitting all corners and free kicks. The stadium would have exploded with happiness if any of his actions had resulted in a goal.
The audience waited in vain for this moment of liberation, but hope remained. “With these actions, where he quickly solves the one-on-one situation, you have already seen that with a bit of experience he can be an added value for us,” said Davie Selke, who gave Cologne the lead (29. Minute).
Diehl was present in the discussions after the game, even without being involved in the goal, in a similar way to the changes brought about by the new coach Timo Schultz: Cologne are now generally a little deeper when the opponent has the ball than under Steffen Baumgart, who left in December, and build the game through more often Center on. “Before, it was relatively straight on the outside. Now there is a new approach that the boys have implemented well,” said Selke. Sports director Christian Keller explained: “I saw a team that had its chest out, that had its head up, where things worked much better with the ball.”
Offer declined
In addition, captain Florian Kainz played his best game of the season as a “free spirit” on offense, as Schultz said. The Austrian had to play more defensively so far this season. Driven by Kainz, who seemed liberated but was substituted after an hour due to a thigh injury, FC were really good for half. And after Heidenheim’s Adrian Beck equalized in the promoted team’s best phase (55th), FC played superior again in the end.
Cologne’s temporary player: Justin Diehl makes people sit up and take notice against Heidenheim. : Image: picture alliance / SVEN SIMON
However, old problems were also evident, particularly the lack of quality on offense. Linton Maina not only acted weakly when he missed a big chance to make it 2-0 (46th), his positional error also made it 1-1. Steffen Tigges has been overwhelmed by the pace and tight spaces of the Bundesliga throughout the season.
Cologne only scored eleven goals in the first half of the season. This also gives Diehl great hope. The U20 international not only exuded carefreeness but also a lot of self-confidence and even acted more mature tactically than winger Faride Alidou, who was also substituted. “He is also very noticeable in training,” said Schultz about the talent courted by Leverkusen and Stuttgart.
During the season so far, the teenager from the club’s regional league team was not taken into account because he turned down an offer from Cologne to extend his contract. “I had to jump over my shadow a bit because I said something different. I said: If you don’t extend your contract as a young player here, you won’t be supported as much as others who do extend it,” Keller explained during a discussion with the fans during the week.
“No economic reasons”
However, after the Cologne team was not allowed to sign new players this winter or next summer due to a violation of rules on the transfer market, the club can no longer “stick to the principle”. Diehl is supposed to strengthen the team in the current season, and there was also a discussion with the family.
However, it is still virtually impossible that the attacker will stay in Cologne beyond the summer. He really hopes “that Justin will help us in the second series, and I hope he will extend it just as much,” said Keller, but admitted: “I don’t think the probability is too high. Because Justin has told us very clearly – for reasons that are not economic – that he doesn’t want to stay here now.”
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But because, in addition to Diehl, people like Denis Huseinbasic, 22 years old, Eric Martel (21) and Max Finkgräfe (19) made a strong impression in this first game under Schultz, it appears that Cologne’s second half of the season is not just about a new one coach, but also by very young players.
