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Cologne's defense hero Martel returns: Strong performance against Bayern!
FC Köln prepares for the match against Mainz 05 after Martel and van den Berg return to defense.
Cologne's defense hero Martel returns: Strong performance against Bayern!
The defense of 1. FC Köln recently held up against FC Bayern Munich, which is a positive ray of hope in this varied season. Coach Lukas Kwasniok had words of praise for the defensive performance, despite the sometimes considerable personnel shortages. Eric Martel and Rav van den Berg now return to the team, which could be of great importance for the upcoming games, especially on Saturday against 1. FSV Mainz 05, where a newly formed defensive line is expected. Come-On-FC reports that Martel is expected to slide straight back into the starting lineup.
However, the theatrical changes in defense are nothing new for Cologne. In recent games, Kwasniok not only had to improvise against Bayern, but also had to deal with a large number of injured players. In addition to the long-term injuries Luca Kilian, Timo Hübers and Joel Schmied, Dominique Heintz and the suspended Martel and van den Berg were also unable to play. Cologne's defense therefore consisted of unconventional combinations, such as the use of Cenk Özkacar and Sebastian Sebulonsen, both of whom showed solid performances against Bayern. OneFootball highlights that Kwasniok is criticized for this constantly changing lineup, which has now been varied for the 16th time.
Further challenges in the relegation battle
Despite a successful test match in which Cologne triumphed against Arnhem 7-4, the defense remains a major weak point. Kwasniok expressed the need for short-term reinforcements in this area in order to prepare for the challenges of the start of the competitive game in the DFB Cup against Regensburg. Sports boss Thomas Kessler is under pressure to sign the urgently needed defensive players. Image reports on the efforts to become more active in the transfer market, especially with regard to the signing of central and full-backs.
With regard to the offensive, it is possible for Said El Mala to return, who was recently convincing in Heidenheim and is considered seeded together with Ragnar Ache and Jakub Kaminski. Kwasniok still has hope that El Mala can also play an important role as a joker. The ongoing personnel concerns and the need to assert themselves against strong opponents like Bayern show that FC Cologne has some challenges to overcome.
However, the return of Martel and van den Berg could give the team a breath of fresh air. If they find their form, it could defuse the defensive problem for the coming games and put FC Köln back on the road to success.