1. FC Köln
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Köln play hosts to European semi-finalists and German cup finalists, Schalke tomorrow. While they have had a tough year domestically, Schalke have done very well in cup competitions. Most notably, their convincing victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League Quarterfinals. These successes would not have been possible without the heroics of two key individuals, Spanish legend Raul and DFB-Elf ‘Keeper Manuel Neuer. Neuer has been the subject of rumors lately, the most common that he is joining the Bavarians down in Munich. Nonetheless, he has had a fantastic season and is an extraordinary Goalkeeper. He will always be tough to beat.
Köln are safe and there is nothing to lose in this match. We are at home, where we usually play pretty well, so I think we can end the season right with three points.
Lineups
Köln
Rensing-Brecko, Geromel, Mohamad, Eichner-Petit, Pezzoni-Chihi, Podolski, Jajalo-Novakovic
Schalke 04
Neuer-Uchida, Höwedes, Metzelder, Escudero-Farfan, Kluge, Papadopoulos, Jurado-Raul, Huntelaar
Prediction: Köln finishes the year strong with a victory!
Note: I’ll be in Germany for the whole summer. I arrive in Berlin on Sunday and I’ll be there for a month. Afterwards, I will be working in a small town in Bavaria, called Coburg. If anyone is in Germany and wants to talk Köln or Bundesliga Fußball, leave a comment and we can get in touch!
Viva Colonia!
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Set to be revealed tomorrow…
Coaching Speculation
Since Volker Finke is just acting as caretaker manager for the FC, speculation about who the club will wire is set to increase. One candidate who is emerging is Norwegian Stale Solbakken, the head trainer of FC Copenhagen. Goal.com delivers this report via Express.de.
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No more relegation worries! We will be playing in the first division next year! A goal in the 24th minute from Adil Chihi, then a penalty converted by Lukas Podolski late into stoppage time secured victory for Köln. Huge win today and we finally got it done on the road.
Highlights:
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Old News
Exams are over and I’m heading to Germany in 8 days! (more about that later…) I failed to blog about a very important development concerning the coaching staff of FC Köln. Now to make amends…
As I blogged earlier, Frank Schaefer intended to resign his post at the end of this season. However he decided to leave the club early, leaving Sporting Director Volker Finke in charge of the team. It has been suggested that Finke and Schaefer had a stormy relationship in which they often disagreed. Here is a link about the news story.
Frankfurt-Köln preview
Last week’s win provides Köln with some security as they head to Frankfurt. We currently sit 4 points clear of the relegation zone, while Frankfurt is currently heading for relegation. This is a crucial game for Frankfurt, as they are home and are certainly aware of our struggles away from home. However, Frankfurt has been one of the worst offensive sides (only 30 goals scored) in the Bundesliga this season, so perhaps our road woes will be somewhat mitigated.
There are some interesting storylines to this match. For one, Christoph Daum, the current coach of Eintracht Frankfurt, used to be the head man for Köln. Between 1986 and 1990 he led us to two second-place finishes.
Köln have not won a single away game in their last nine – only Frankfurt are waiting longer for an away win (10 games).
For more about Eintracht Frankfurt, visit Irena at Eintracht Frankfurt Offside.
Unavailable for selection by Finke are Christian Clemens, Martin Lanig, and Slauwomir Peszko.
Possible Lineups
Eintracht Frankfurt
Fährmann – S. Jung, Vasoski, Russ, Köhler – Schwegler, Meier – Ochs, Halil Altintop, Fenin – Gekas
Köln
Rensing – Brecko, Geromel, Mohamad, Eichner – Petit, Pezzoni – Chihi, Podolski, Jajalo – Novakovic
Prediction: This one is hard to predict, Köln has been so awful on the road and Frankfurt has their backs against the wall. I’m thinking we might see a draw. 1-1
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Are our relegation worries eased? You bet! Two goals from Novakovic seal the deal for FC Köln and sink Leverkusen hopes to catch Dortmund, who are now the Bundesliga champions. It wasn’t easy as Leverkusen hit the woodwork twice, yet they were unable to put a ball into the net. Novakovic was able to though and that is why we are victorious! Sorry this post was late and that I also didn’t upload a preview as I usually do. Its exam week and its been quite hectic. Also I was having trouble accessing the admin page so who knows what was going on there. However better late than never I suppose…
Highlights auf Deutsch:
Personal note*** Help a fellow fan. Not Football related…but important nonetheless
I thank all of you for your comments and views as we attempt to revive not only Köln’s season but this blog itself. It truly means alot. Anyways my friend from school plans on attending a Tibetan language program this summer. She is really bright (an FC Köln fan!) and sweet and this program will aid her in applications to Graduate School. However she is having difficulty securing the necessary money for tuition. For those that want to know more about Tibet and Tibetan culture visit this site.
If your still reading and want to help her cause in her goal for not only Graduate School applications, but the promotion of Tibetan culture, visit her website. Check it out! If you wish to donate to a great cause visit here.
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2 goals each from Mandzukic and Ashkan Dejagah buried Köln in a 4-1 defeat. This wasn’t a pretty game and our away woes continue yet again. Sebastian Freis scored a goal just before the break, but that was going to be the only real bright spot for Köln in this match.
Highlights after the break…
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The Billy Goats head up to Wolfsburg on Sunday in another attempt to improve their road record. Köln have been horrible on the road in the spring, and we shall see if they have it in them to get a result at Wolfsburg. In my opinion, and with the consistent disappointment with away games, I think the away struggles continue. Although, there is a game to be played! Let’s play it well.
Possible Lineups
Wolfsburg
Benaglio; Riether, Kjaer, Friedrich, Schäfer; Josué; Polak, Cicero; Diego; Grafite, Mandzukic
Köln
Rensing; Brecko, Mohamad, Geromel, Eichner; Lanig, Matuschyk; Freis, Jajalo, Clemens; Novakovic
Lukas Podolski will miss this match due to his accumulation of 5 yellow cards. Peszko has a knee issue, so he will also be absent from the match.
Prediction: They’ll have to prove to me they can win away from Köln, so Wolfsburg 2-1 Köln. I’m usually wrong so let’s hope for a victory.
Viva Colonia!
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Frank Schaefer has decided, based on personal reasons, to resign his post as head trainer of FC Köln. “After careful consideration, [I will resign] at the end of the season as head coach of FC Koln” Schaefer said. This comes to me as somewhat of a surprise. I thought Frank had done a solid job restoring some respectability to FC Köln. Hopefully more news will emerge in the coming hours and days.
What do you guys make of this? What was your opinion of Frank Schaefer?
UPDATE:
Frank Schaefer: His reasons for resigning (a rough translation…)
“I have decided after careful consideration and after weighing all the impressions after this season as the head coach of FC Cologne. The reasons for this lie in the personal sphere. The last six months have been incredibly intense, you have taken them all and they cost me quite a lot of strength. Especially by the intensity, as I understand this life and job. The job has taken effect on my personal and private life. Therefore, this decision is the consequence of that experience and the living experience of the last six months. Everyone who knows me knows that this personal decision was not easy for me. But I believe that it is at the current proper time for me and for the club.“
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Early on, it didn’t appear that Köln were up for this match for whatever reason. The game remained scoreless until five minutes after the break when Christian Träsch scored a brilliant goal. Just minutes later, Harnik scored Stuttgart’s second. At this point, we were really on the ropes and the referee did not help our cause either. Stuttgart were awarded with a very questionable penalty for a handball decision against Geromel. Kuzmanovic buried the penalty and at that point, it was game over for Köln.
Novakovic was able to put Köln on the board in the 68th minute but in all honesty, Köln never really had a foothold in this game. Disappointing to say the least.
Highlights after the break…
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Köln returns home to face a Stuttgart side who have had a tough year. Just a few years removed from winning the Bundesliga, Stuttgart is now in the midst of a relegation battle. Currently, they sit one spot above the relegation zone. Gone are familiar faces like Mario Gomez, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Jens Lehmann, and Sami Khedira. The new Stuttgart side is not one without talent though. Khalid Bouhlarouz, Christian Gentner, Christian Träsch and others have been selected for esteemed national sides. However, as is usually the case in football, talent is only one essential aspect to a winning formula.
In the spring campaign, Köln have been remarkable at home. Significant wins over upper table teams like Bayern and Mainz have contributed to Köln ascendance in the table. I expect that to continue this weekend against a struggling Stuttgart side.
Lineups
Köln
Rensing; Brecko, Geromel, Mohamad, Eichner; Lanig, Petit; Peszko, Podolski, Clemens (?); Novakovic
Stuttgart
Ulreich;Bouhlahrouz, Tasci, Niedermeier, Molinaro; Träsch, Kuzmanovic; Gentner, Hajnal, Okazaki; Harnik
Prediction: Köln continues winning at home. I don’t expect this to be an easy match though…and I was blatantly wrong with my prediction last weekend. We shall see.
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