- FC Cologne starts the season with new talent and a fresh system!
1. FC Köln will start the DFB Cup season on August 14, 2025 with new players and coach Kwasniok. Exciting preparations await!

<ol> <li>FC Cologne starts the season with new talent and a fresh system!</li> </ol>
The Cologne football scene is upside down, as 1. FC Köln is looking forward to the start of the Bundesliga season with great anticipation. Coach Lukas Kwasniok, who is starting his first season on the FC sidelines, accompanied the team in an intensive phase of preparation. This included six weeks full of hard work, in which the FC shone with five wins from six test matches, including an impressive 4-0 against Atalanta Bergamo t-online.de reported.
The first competitive game in the DFB Cup against SSV Jahn Regensburg awaits Cologne next Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Kwasniok brought ten new players on board this summer, including Said El Mala, who was previously on loan at Viktoria Köln. In the dress rehearsal against Atalanta there were six new additions to the starting line-up. It will be an exciting time for FC, who have reshuffled the cards in the squad.
Flexibility is key
One of Kwasniok's most striking approaches is lineup flexibility. The coach doesn't want to give out fixed regular places, but rather vary the starting eleven depending on needs and player form. He introduced a 3-4-3 system that particularly targets the wing players. Names like Sebastian Sebulonsen and Linton Maina have already proven in preparation that they can be dangerous by setting up numerous goals. But some of last season's promotion heroes, including Florian Kainz and Denis Huseinbasic, are also fighting to stay in the first eleven.
The question of FC's new captain remains open. Various players were allowed to wear the captain's armband in the test matches, most recently it was Marius Bülter. Candidates for the office are Timo Hübers, Marvin Schwäbe, Eric Martel and Jan Thielmann.
Youth work remains crucial
In addition to the professional team, the youngsters at 1. FC Köln are also working hard on their further development. Coach Stefan Ruthenbeck celebrated a 2-0 win against Fortuna Düsseldorf in his opening game with the U19s. There were five players from the younger generation in the starting line-up - a sign that the FC is building on its talents. Ruthenbeck is convinced of the need for a clear system in the youth sector in order to further develop the players in their roles, while the footballing orientation of the professionals should be kept flexible geissblog.koeln highlights.
The Bundesliga has traditionally played a major role in promoting talent, which is also reflected in FC Cologne. The youth academies of the Bundesliga clubs are crucial for the development of young talent and offer comprehensive training in the areas of sporting, academic and personal development. These standards are essential for the long-term success of the clubs sports-insider.de explained in detail.
With a clear system and cooperation between the professional team and young talent, Kwasniok hopes to be successful in the long term and to help the FC's talented players blossom. The coming weeks promise to be exciting for both the professionals and the youth.