“Unser Kapitän wird mit muskulären Problemen ausfallen,” Schalke 04 coach Miron Muslic said on Thursday afternoon regarding Kenan Karaman.
FC Schalke 04 faces a deepening personnel crisis ahead of their fixture against 1. FC Köln on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Rhein-Energie-Stadion, with kickoff set for 3:30 PM local time, Express reported. Both clubs enter the weekend sharing ambitions of securing their status in the division, though mounting injuries threaten to derail their preparations.
Schalke 04 Grapples With Mounting Casualties in Gelsenkirchen
The latest blow to Miron Muslic’s squad arrived on Thursday when Kenan Karaman was ruled out due to muscular issues. Karaman joins an extensive injury list that leaves the Gelsenkirchen club depleted across the pitch.
Midfielder Ron Schallenberg remains unavailable with a leg injury, while forward Moussa Sylla has been restricted to individual training this week following a knock to the leg sustained against SC Freiburg. Defender Maximilian Wöber faces a lengthy absence after suffering a thigh injury during a training session on Tuesday, with the club indicating he will not return to action until the end of the calendar year. Midfielder Dejan Ljubicic also remains sidelined as his knee continues to recover, despite making minor health improvements.
In attack, striker Edin Dzeko is recovering from a head laceration sustained during a match against Mainz 05. While Muslic expressed optimism that the 40-year-old forward would win his race against time to feature on Saturday, the club’s offensive options remain thin.
FC Köln Confronts Total Striker Shortage Ahead of Home Fixture
Hosts 1. FC Köln face an equally severe selection dilemma, entering the weekend without any center-forwards, Express reported. Thijs Dallinga is sidelined with a torn cruciate ligament, Ragnar Ache has only recently returned to partial team training, and Imad Rondic is unavailable due to a thigh injury. This shortage could open the door for 21-year-old Malek El Mala to make his squad debut.
PK-News zum Personal: In Köln fehlen Maximilian Wöber (Muskelverletzung), Kenan Karaman (muskuläre Probleme), Ron Schallenberg (Beinverletzung) und Moussa Sylla (Tritt in Freiburg). #S04 #KOES04
In midfield, Köln must cope without Ellyes Skhiri, who is dealing with a syndesmosis injury. Defensive concerns were also raised when Rav van den Berg was ruled out with a muscular problem, though René Wagner provided reassurance regarding Joel Schmied after the defender suffered a heavy ankle twist in Frankfurt.
Standings Context and Tactical Adjustments at the Rhein-Energie-Stadion
The fixture carries significant implications for the lower half of the table as both clubs attempt to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Following six matches played in the campaign, 1. FC Köln sits in 12th place with seven points, while FC Schalke 04 occupies 15th position with five points, according to Express.
Reflecting on Schalke’s recent 1-0 defeat to Mainz 05, Muslic noted that the performance had been addressed through direct team communication. The coaching staff emphasized the need for better build-up play to support the remaining forwards. With limited personnel available, forward Hee-chan Hwang emerges as an option for the starting lineup, despite previous concerns from the coaching staff regarding the South Korean’s familiarity with team tactical routines.
Cologne Hosts Match on October 24
The encounter takes place at the Rhein-Energie-Stadion in Cologne. The start time is 3:30 PM on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Live coverage is scheduled through audiovisual streams and digital tickers, with both teams searching for a collective turnaround to stabilize their respective league campaigns.
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