Those responsible are at 1. FC Köln ignores Gerhard Struber‘s clear promise before the DFB Cup match against Holstein Kiel. The coach is currently betting on a change of goalkeeper.
Almost two weeks ago the… 1. FC Cologne still believe he is on the right track. An unattractive but at least effective 2-0 win over SSV Ulm should be the starting signal for the race to get up to the promotion places. However, two match days later, the team that was released Bundesliga is in dire straits.
After the last two issues with some hair-raising performances, the coach of the 1. FC Köln in criticism – and with him also the sports director Christian Keller. A DFB Cup match against a Bundesliga club Holstein Kiel that could already be the endgame for Gerhard Struber.
“The last few days have not left us unscathed,” the Austrian said before the cup match. “We had a lot to discuss to bring certain things that make us strong back to the forefront.” At the same time, Struber admits that there are now discussions about it for the first time after his ‘ fourth loss in the tenth game.
“None of us are naive, and of course I’m not. I know that if you lose in the world of FC, it’s normal to talk about the coach. For me that’s nothing special,” said the 47th -year, for which it is now important to keep the focus with the team. “I won’t make any big changes, but I will try to prepare the team professionally for the game.
Thomas Kessler, the head of the licensed player department, also left it open on Monday how long Struber would be allowed to prepare his team for games if there were more failures. “You will not hear from me today about a date or what will happen if there is. We are just focusing on the game tomorrow. We want to make it successful,” said the former goalkeeper and was it to focus only on the upcoming opponent. However, in doing this, Kessler avoided a clear commitment to being Austrian.
After a 1:2 loss against him SC Paderborn In the last few days there has been “a lot of conversation and a lot of internal discussion” at the Geißbockheim, as Kessler said. The person in charge asked: “Tomorrow we just have to show another face. Tomorrow there is no other choice. Either you move on or you will be thrown out.”
The outcome of the talks will be seen between the posts on Tuesday night against Kiel. Marvin Schwäbe, who was sacked as number one by Jonas Urbig before the season, will defend Köln’s goal in the cup. “Because Marvin is so professional and shows us in training how important he is to the team, he will start tomorrow,” explained Struber.
It is not usually unusual to use your designated number two in cup competitions. In the first round against SV Sandhausen However, Struber had given up on this and also said that he did not want to go around the goal in the cup. The decision on Monday came as a surprise.
However, the change should not be due to the performance of the youth. Struber praised the 21-year-old: “Jonas Urbig is a very talented goalkeeper. I have had the opportunity to work with very good goalkeepers during my time as a football coach. He brings an image that I’ve never seen before”, encouraged the coach.
Nevertheless, Urbig has already conceded 22 goals in the current season in the second division. Very few of them were the fault of the keeper. “He is also a very young man who is subject to these movements, that sometimes he is better and sometimes more challenging I think highly of him because he brings a lot to the table and shows a certain maturity at this age,” explained Struber.
It is not clear what would happen in the FC goal if Schwäbe shows a strong performance and maybe even takes Köln a further round with his saves. This would also reduce the pressure on the coach who has been under criticism. Anyway, the truth is: Schwäbe has a chance to prove himself for the first time this season. Whether for a winter move or a future in FC goal.
2024-10-28 16:19:00
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