LOOK AHEAD: 1. FC Cologne

It’s the last fixture of a week for VfL. After success against Mainz, VfL will 1. FC Cologne for Saturday night’s crunch encounter. Let’s LOOK AHEAD to 1 FC Cologne:

THE TEAM

Cologne have enjoyed a stunning season so far. Even their recent elimination in the DFB-Pokal might not baffle themselves. After a late goal by Modeste, they reached the penalty shootout against Hamburg. But probably one of the oddest penalties in the last years sealed their defeat. Florian Kainz slipped and fell and hit the ball against his standing leg. Although the ball went in, the goal did not count due to two touches of the ball. Despite that loss Modeste, and his team mates are playing a great season, as already mentioned. The striker has scored 12 goals up to now, nine by header. In the winter break Cologne have re-arranged their defence as Rafael Czichos was transferred to MLS club Chicago Fire, Jorge Meré joined Mexican side CF America and Noah Katterbach signed for Swiss club FC Basel on loan. Speaking of defence: Lately Baumgart has nominated Marvin Schwäbe as first-choice goalkeeper. Old hand Timo Horn initially finds himself on the subs bench.

THE HEAD COACH

Steffen Baumgart took over as a head coach at 1 FC Cologne at the beginning of this season. 9^th spot in the table and an average of 1.55 points are quite remarkable, with only a three point deficit behind third placed. According to this Baumgart‘s review of the past six months turns out really positive: “The team has a completely different face than half a year ago. Many positive things have happened. I’ll never be fully satisfied, but you won’t see me unsatisfied”, says Baumgart proudly. The 50-years-old‘s coaching career got going during his time in Paderborn, where he worked for four years.

THE RECORD

There have been 72 fixtures between VfL Bochum and FC Cologne so far. The record is in favour of the ‘Billy Goats’, who count 42 victories, at least VfL won 14 matches. Bochum’s last Bundesliga success goes back to April 2004, when the lads racked up a 2-1 away win in Cologne. After Dariusz Wosz put VfL in front, Lukas Podolski managed to equalise before Frank Fahrenhorst finally scored the winner. The lads even were able to win the first leg game as well. Reaching the fifth spot in the table on final matchday VfL qualified for the international competition.