Big goal in front of our eyes

The three-game-week is coming to an end. After the spectacular 3-1 cup win against 1. FSV Mainz this Tuesday and the advance to the quarterfinals of the German cup competition, it’s time for the next Bundesliga fixture. Saturday night (kick-off at 18:30 CET), 1. FC Köln will be guests at the Vonovia Ruhstadion. In the run-up to the match against the team from the Rhineland, head coach Thomas Reis answered the journalists’ question at the press conference.

Thomas Reis on…

… the personnel situation: Simon Zoller, Paul Grave and Danny Blum won’t be fit to take part.

… the strategy for Saturday night: We have a big goal in sight, which ist o kepp the three points in Bochum this Saturday. I know that each of my players are willing and capable of playing three games in a week. With the cup success behind us, the energy will be quickly recharged.

… 1. FC Köln: Cologne have played a great season so far. The team has completely internalized Steffen Baumgart’s playing philosophy. The press very high and put their opponents under early and constant pressure. But pressing this high also always leaves room between the lines and we’re prepared for that.

… Steffen Baumgart: Of course, I’m really looking forward seeing him again. We did our football manager licence together. He is a bit mad, but in a fully positive way. He always shows full commitment – something that hasn’t changed since he ended his active career as a player. So far, the games against his teams have always very interesting. I hope for a better ending for us on Saturday.

… Cologne’s top striker Anthony Modeste: We’ll have to defend him well. He has scored many headed goals, but at the same time it would be foolish to only keep an eye on Modeste. We have to prevent them from crossing the ball into the box. That’s where we need to show the right commitment and aggressiveness.

… Sebastian Polter and Jürgen Locadia: Both have their qualities. Sebastian Polter is the more physical type of striker, while Jürgen Locadia has a slightly better technique. I’m very happy to have the choice between both options, so I can field the one or the other depending on the course of the game. Polti did very well after he came on against Mainz. By now, I haven’t made a final decision about who maybe in the starting XI.

… the agony of choice in central defence: We have a set of strong centre backs. In the first half of the season Erhan Mašović and Vasilios Lampropoulos stabilized our defensive play. Currently Armel Bella Kotchap and Maxim Leitsch played. All of them have their skills, but also development potential.