Euro crash & derby debacle |
Cologne after frustration double under pressure
Now a reaction is needed at 1. FC Köln…
New territory for the hitherto successful FC. For the first time this season, the boys from coach Steffen Baumgart (50) conceded two competitive bankruptcies in a row and have to show Thursday in Belgrade whether and how they can put up with the frustration double. The pressure increases!
Because the defeats were anything but commonplace.
► Due to the unnecessary 0: 1 in the first leg against Belgrade, FC lost the top of the group in the Conference League and, in third place, now has to tremble for the round of 16.
► And in the derby there was a lot going on afterwards: FC was dismantled for the first time this season. There is no question that a 2:5 in Gladbach leaves its mark.
“It’s not an easy situation. But we mustn’t let ourselves get down,” says Florian Kainz (29). And Baumgart also demands: “We have to deal with it and now raise our heads to get reasonable results again.”
Easier said than done. Because not only Euro opponents and group first Belgrade has a run. There has not been a defeat in the league and conference league since the end of July. Cologne’s next Bundesliga opponent Augsburg has also been unbeaten in four games and is tied in 10th place on the back of Cologne’s neck.
FC under pressure. License player boss Thomas Kessler (36) believes in the necessary reaction of his professionals: “Our team has the quality to survive even in difficult situations.”