“We need a very good performance” | Marco Rose pre- FC Köln

On Friday, our boys will fight for more points at 1. FC Köln in the 26th Bundesliga matchday.

Our head coach Marco Rose spoke to the media ahead of tomorrow’s game. Here is a summary:
 

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• Eljif Elmas had to be substituted at halftime of the Darmstadt game due to stomach and head problems. The attacker has returned fit and is ready for action in Cologne.
   
• Lukas Klostermann is still out with a thigh injury and is working individually on his comeback. “Klosti” is expected to be reintegrated during the international break. All information about his injury .

   

Potential Suspensions

• David Raum, Amadou Haidara and Lois Openda each received four yellow cards. If they are warned again in the next game, the Red Bulls will miss thehome game against 1. FSV Mainz 05 .
   

MARCO ROSE ON…

… 1. FC KÖLN

• “It will be a difficult Bundesliga game because there are no easy ones. A great stadium and great fans await us in Cologne – the atmosphere will be great. We face a team that defends well and in a structured manner. They make the pitch narrow and don’t allow much space.

  Football under Timo Schultz hasn’t changed fundamentally compared to his predecessor, but it may not be as wild as it was under Baumi (Steffen Baumgart), especially going forward. They continue to be very well organised. The boys work well with the ball. It’s a team that defines itself through short passes, but also throw in a long ball every now and then. They use their speed on the wings and have good transition players in their ranks.

  They also bring a lot of tactical solutions with the ball. We need a very good performance and we have to solve all the challenges that they will pose to us. We’ll have to wait and see whether Davie Selke can play, then we’ll also have an issue with crosses and headers. We know from the past that we have to throw everything into Cologne if we want to get three points. And victory is our clear goal.”

  Top scorers, up-and-coming talents and the system: In our opponent analysis you will find the most important information about 1. FC Köln.
   

MARCO ROSE ON…

… THE RACE FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

• “For us, it’s always the next game that counts – and that’s on Friday in Cologne. Anything else would cause us to lose focus. We are currently one point behind BVB and nothing has changed in the situation. We still have nine games left and nobody has qualified for the Champions League on matchday 26. 

  We still have the to face them here in Leipzig, but before that we have a few other tasks to complete, which can then give us the opportunity to gain points in that match. But it’s still a while away.”

… THE NATIONAL TEAM

• “Let’s wait and see what national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s selection will look like. David Raum is having a very strong season so far. He creates goals and has already scored himself. He has been in really good shape for a long time and has developed very well compared to last season.

  Benny Henrichs showed in Madrid that he can be a top right-back. Overall, his form curve is on the rise. And Lukas Klostermann is reliability personified. He has a lot of advantages and can defend inside and out. Klosti is physically strong and has great speed. I’m glad we have him.”
   

MARCO ROSE ON…

ELJIF ELMAS

• “We know what quality we have gained through him. He’s fighting for playing time. Eljif did a great job against Darmstadt. But the competition in our attack is fierce. 

  I’m happy about that, but it does require some patience for one or two players. Eljif is doing well again after being substituted against Darmstadt, that’s the main thing for now. Who will start against Köln remains to be determined.”