1. FC Köln have already secured relegation in the Bundesliga since last week. In the first game after that there was a 5:2 against Hertha BSC. And the fans celebrated the players extensively.
Jonas Hector and Timo Horn were sitting together on the pitch and still absorbing the fans’ chants fifteen minutes after the end of the game.
Actually, the two faces of 1. FC Köln will officially say goodbye in the last two weeks after 13 or even 21 seasons at the club in the last game of the season against FC Bayern Munich. 32-year-old Hector is ending his career, Horn, 30-year-old since Friday, is looking for a new challenge after losing his regular place.
But against the background that the farewell could take a back seat in view of a possible championship decision or even championship celebration against Bayern, the Cologne fans celebrated their idols on Friday, intoxicated by the 5-2 win against Hertha BSC. “I know myself that there aren’t many games left,” said captain and ex-national player Hector: “With the safe relegation last week you can absorb it all well. I’ll do that. I can still enjoy these weeks.”
And, contrary to coach Steffen Baumgart’s announcement, Horn may still be hoping for a farewell game next week at Werder Bremen, if the Hanseatic League have secured relegation by then.
Baumgart’s praise
But the people of Cologne made one thing clear on Friday: they will not even indirectly distort competition. “I don’t see any danger that anyone will somehow let it run out or take a step less in any game,” said Thomas Kessler, head of the Cologne licensed player department. And with a look at trainer Steffen Baumgart, he added with a laugh: “Especially not with the man with the flat cap on his side.”
Baumgart praised a lot after the game with five goals and 31 shots on goal. But he also conceded: “In the end, 5-2 isn’t even a good result given the chances we had.” When asked how many days off his players would get, he said to DAZN: “The boys have had enough free time, two days are enough.”
And he didn’t want to hear hymns for Timo Hübers, who scored two goals as a central defender – one of them with the heel. “He scores two goals, he’s already the hero,” said Baumgart almost grumpily: “I’ve seen a lot of good scenes from him, but also some that weren’t good, I’m glad that Tino once managed an offensive header. But he doesn’t do a brace that often and he doesn’t do the heel-heel that often.”
So you won’t let up in Cologne. And that can be understood in Munich as a warning.
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
