1. FC Köln Preview

1. FC Köln

Coach: Zvonimir Soldo

First of all wooow...! Who would have expected this. Me not for sure.

Zvonimir Soldo is the new coach of Köln. He played for Köln and was the right hand of the coach always.
Soldo was a player who could read the game, now he is coach and has an experienced assistant with Michael Henke, who was the assistant of Ottmar Hitzfeld (successful Bayern coach).

Soldo will have to be successful, Köln fans always expect a lot, especially with Lukas Podolski being back in "Kölle". If Soldo will do his coach job with the same discipline and passion as he played before, then I have no doubt that Kölns aim can be realised.

Money spend for transfers: 11.000.000 €
Money earned from transfers: 700.000 €

Balance: -10.300.000 €

Atmosphere during training camp&test matches:

Soldo criticised Daums test match organisation which was not changeable. He wished that they could play against more clubs on same level rather than against no name teams.
They had two tests lately against Hannover (0:0) - where we see a good defending Cologne - and a test match against Bayern München which they lost 0:2.

A poor performance in last match which showed how big the difference between Cologne and Bayern is. But at the end it was Bayern and we should not rate that defeat to high.

Possible lineups & tactics:












Most likely:
1. 4-4-2 (4-2-2-2); LB,CB,CB,RB,DM,DM,ROM,LOM,ST,ST

Aim set by club:

Euphoria in Cologne, especially from fans but even "Prinz" Poldi (Lukas Podolski) who came back from Bayern says that they must be realistic and that a midfield position would be good.

Teamcheck:

Goalkeeper: 7/10

More important than the performance he shows on the field is the experience and the leadership of Faryd Mondragon. When he speaks other listen. When a defence player is standing wrong he corrects him.

That is very important as a goalkeeper, very fundamantel piece of what a goalkeeper must do.

However, Mondragon is 38 years old and Thomas Kessler, his backup did not get the chance to show himself quite often which shows that the club does not trust him yet to be a good Bundesliga goalkeeper.

Defence: 5/10

The defence of Köln is very good in centre position, but lacks quality on right and left side.

Geromel and Mohamad are getting grown man slowly and performing good during a long period of time. Of course they have to learn some more things but they are on the right track.

Left back Wome had his best time in Bremen and could not repeat the same yet again for Köln. Still acceptable.

The problem is right back Brecko who is not the best solution here. Köln was looking for a new right back but didnt found any. Only the new transfer Schorch could play also as right back, but his best position is centre back.

Midfield: 6/10

Some surprising names in Kölns midfield.

The big Petit from Barcelona in Köln who was the head of Köln last season. Next to him either Maniche, again another new Portuguese transfer or Pezzoni will play.

Left and right offensive midfield Ehret and new transfer Freis.

Good midfield, added quality with Maniche who will need some time though.

Striker: 7/10

On paper the strikers are all good.

Podolski and Novakovic would be a good striker pair. But Novakovic is injured and it is not sure when he will be fit. Back up Ishiaku was injured himself for quite a long time and is running after his form.

Potential is big, but at the moment there are some doubts.

Total: 6/10

My prognosis:

One of the midfield teams of this season.

Not good enough to be under top 10, but still enough quality to not get relegated.