Copyright: Herbert Bucco
Denis Huseinbasic (left) and Dejan Ljubicic (here on October 1, 2022) were among the best in the offensive of the 1. FC Cologne.
After a grueling first half of the season, including the exciting European adventure, the 1. FC Köln takes a deep breath. Time to look back: winter testimonials from EXPRESS.de with votes for the offensive.
The 1. FC Köln can look back on exciting months. Steffen Baumgart’s team (50) has made its mark in the last football year. In particular, the rousing, if ultimately ill-fated journey through Europe will be remembered for a long time. In the Bundesliga, however, FC had to pay tribute to the busy schedule. Cologne are in 13th place with 17 points, three points clear of the relegation table.
The long winter break offers time for the big interim report! EXPRESS.de took a close look at the team and distributed the votes. The second part is about the offensive.
The offensive players of 1. FC Köln got these marks:
Dejan Ljubicic (25)
Where would FC be today if he hadn’t been injured in the derby against Gladbach? This question is useless to answer. But the fact that the Austrian is FC’s top scorer with six official goals during the winter break, even though he missed six games, speaks volumes. Furthermore, Cologne’s points average with him (1.33) is significantly higher than without him (0.89). “Dejo”, who has already more than tripled his market value since arriving in Cologne, has become even more valuable to the FC in his more attacking role. It is all the more important that Ljubicic returns quickly. The midfielder is expected to return to training with the squad in early January, after which the next league match against Werder Bremen will be three weeks away.
EXPRESS.de-Note: 2+
Denis Husseinbasic (21)
He is the top player of FC. The mega deal (€50,000 transfer fee) made the leap from regional league talent to Bundesliga and European Cup goalscorer in the blink of an eye. It is remarkable how quickly the newly crowned U21 national player adapted to the significantly higher level of the German upper house. Furthermore, the youngster is Cologne’s most dangerous, having been involved in a goal every 127 minutes on average in all competitions this season. Despite the hype, Baumgart is (rightly) holding back. He knows exactly how fast things can go in football.
EXPRESS.de-Note: 2
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Matthias Olesen (21)
He probably didn’t expect to get many minutes in the Bundesliga this season. But after Mark Uth’s injury, he was suddenly placed in the starting XI against Frankfurt. Baumgart later enthused: “My regional league players have done well.” In addition to Steffen Tigges, this also meant Olesen. The “outstanding development” (Baumgart) was abruptly ended just 148 minutes after the serious ankle injury in the match against Stuttgart. The question is how the youngster will recover from his injury in the new year. It’s up to him to prove that he can be more than just an emergency nail.
EXPRESS.de-Note: 4+
Ondrey Duda (28)
It swings madly too often in the category of genius and insanity. Even after a year and a half, the highly talented individual still cannot find his bearings in Baumgart’s team football. He often got his teammates into trouble with hair-raising turnovers. At least in the Bundesliga, he wasn’t even an offensive factor. The record that makes him think: 13 games, no involvement in goals. The two goals in the Conference League are a cosmetic achievement at best. It cannot be excluded that they separate in the summer. It would be the last chance to make money with the Slovak.
EXPRESS-Note: 5
Mark Uth (31)
He’s the unlucky man of the season at 1. FC Cologne. The Porzer is meant to be watched almost all season long. He had to have his second pubic bone operation within a few months in mid-December. The former international’s absence is particularly bitter, as Uth is one of the few difference players in the Cologne squad. Baumgart hopes the ten will be fit again in March. The crowd favorite could therefore still tip the scales in the last spurt of the season.
EXPRESS.de-Note: –
Copyright: Herbert Bucco
Steffen Baumgart talks to Mark Uth after his second pubic bone operation (December 19, 2022).
Florian Kainz (30)
Despite his advanced footballing age, the Austrian is still developing. The midfielder is now an integral part of the FC. If he isn’t having a good day, Cologne’s offensive play usually suffers as well. Luckily that doesn’t happen too often, Kainz has once again proven to be a reliable goalscorer this season. With five goals and four assists, he is Baumgart’s most dangerous offensive weapon. He has been allowed to lead the team twice as captain and is therefore taking on more and more responsibilities. It is important that his contract was extended in the spring.
EXPRESS.de-Note: 2+
Jan Thielmann (20)
“There’s no stopping him,” Steffen Baumgart recently said of the Under-21 international. That’s true if his body hasn’t let him down on a regular basis. He started the season brightly with one goal and four assists before a viral illness sidelined him and he sat flat throughout October. He wanted to attack fully again in the new year and is also seen by those in charge as a beacon of hope for an increased goal danger in the second half of the season. But it was in the last game of the year against SV Meppen that the youngster was hit again. Thielmann tore a muscle fiber and, worst-case scenario, will be out for up to six weeks.
EXPRESS.de-Note: 3
Linton Maina (23)
He had the courage to start again in Cologne after a career break in Hanover and so far he shouldn’t have regretted this step. He advised for more with strong wildcard appearances early on and has been set since mid-season. He is an unpredictable weapon with his crazy pace and has already prepared five goals in all competitions. Only when it comes to your degree is there still a big deal. He’s left with a whole host of first-class opportunities. If Maina still had a decent degree, “but he wouldn’t be playing for Cologne,” the FC officials are happy to say.
EXPRESS.de-Note: 3+
Stephen Tigges (24)
Steffen is not a “Tigginator” yet, that could be the striker’s conclusion so far. At least four goals after a month’s break due to injury. So far, however, he has rarely appeared where he is needed, namely in the penalty area. He goes too often on the outside, Steffen Baumgart is working on it with him. Overall, he still hasn’t been able to put his muscular body to good use. However, one must not forget that this is Tigges’ first real Bundesliga season. He underwent a nose operation in the winter and wants to start 2023 with a new nose for goals.
EXPRESS.de-Note: 4
Sargis Adamyan (29)
He arrived at FC in the summer as a ‘king transfer’. He should join forces with Tigges to fill the huge void left by Anthony Modeste. But so far the Frenchman’s steps have proved too big. Adamyan’s uncertainty culminated in the ‘missed shot of the year’ against Hertha when he fired the ball into an empty net from just a few yards away. Sports boss Keller is calling for a sharp raise on his dream player for next year. The striker entered the Christmas break feeling good after his remarkable goal against Meppen.
EXPRESS.de-Note: 4-
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Florian Dietz (24)
Put down a rocket start like a nameless so far. He has scored in both the Bundesliga and the playoffs and group stage of the Conference League. His star quickly faded, however, as he soon reached his footballing limits. Overall, the Bundesliga is probably one size too big for him. It should be very difficult to find the connection after the second cruciate ligament tear in his still young career, especially since the season is already over for him.
EXPRESS.de-Note: 4-
Tim Lemperle (20)
He suffered a serious ankle injury in September and was never able to get back on his feet. Until then, under Baumgart, he was only in demand as a short-term worker (62 minutes total). He has to improve if he wants a chance under FC coaching. Baumgart sees Thielmann, who is the same age, developing further. However, there are plans to extend the youngster’s expiring contract. Lemperle’s side is hesitating, however, because he could see better prospects elsewhere.
EXPRESS.de-Note: –
