17th matchday: First point and first frustration for Schultz on his Cologne debut

Timo Schultz tried to demonstratively downplay the importance of his first Bundesliga game. “The field is just as big and we also played with eleven against eleven,” said the new coach of 1. FC Köln after the 1:1 (1:0) against 1. FC Heidenheim.

Basically, “everything is a bit bigger,” said the East Frisian with a smile: “I noticed that. It was a nice first Bundesliga game in front of this backdrop. But I was more concerned with the team and the game.”

Schultz noticed at the final whistle that he didn’t really know what to do with the game and the result at first. He briefly adjusted his blue training suit, then high-fived the bench in a matter-of-fact manner, avoiding emotional outbursts of any kind. In the end it was “definitely one point more,” said the 46-year-old: “Of course we would have preferred to get three.” But the newcomers from Heidenheim, who are ten points away, are “not spoken well of.” They are in the top half of the table, they are one of the most unpleasant teams in the league.”

FC with positive approaches

In any case, he wanted to “watch the game again,” announced the former second division coach of FC St. Pauli after his debut nine days after taking office. The video study will give him a lot of information, both positive and negative. Because there were approaches, especially in a playful way. This improvement is thanks to the coach’s “new plan,” said goalscorer Davie Selke. It is “more center-heavy and more playful”. But many deficits also became apparent.

One thing is clear: Schultz has an extremely difficult task to fulfill. He took over the FC in a relegation zone, as the successor to the sometimes adored Steffen Baumgart and also burdened by the transfer ban that will still apply next summer. And it became clear on Saturday: He wants to make a virtue out of necessity and work a lot with young players. Of the eleven players on the field when the final whistle blew, six were 22 or younger.

“I always tell the boys that they should play fresh and not make a big deal of themselves,” said the coach: “It will be our way in the next few months to develop these boys. That also means trusting them and to give playing time accordingly.” Goalscorer Selke also knows this, after captain Florian Kainz he is the oldest on the pitch at 28 on Saturday. “Everyone knows what the situation is at FC,” he said: “We couldn’t add more personnel and we won’t be able to in the next transfer period either. That’s where the boys become important.”

Schultz replaces exceptional talent Diehl

Justin Diehl, who is considered an exceptional talent and was never part of the squad under Baumgart because of his refusal to extend the contract in the first half of the season, is being particularly observed. The 19-year-old came first after an hour, brought momentum with a few dribbles and scored corners and free kicks. “He doesn’t lack self-confidence,” said Schultz with a smile: “He’s a boy who’s fun, who always wants to have the ball, who goes one-on-one. You could already tell that the Heidenheimers like him physically We were superior, but he has potential and will definitely help us in the second half of the season.”

Probably not after that. FC definitely wants to keep the Cologne native, who impressed with twelve goals for the U21s in the regional league in the first half of the season. But the train seems to have left. Diehl’s statement in the summer was quite clear. The last six months will have solidified his decision. Now a new perspective is opening up at his home club, but among the many interested parties, VfB Stuttgart in particular is said to be very far along with Diehl.