1. FC Köln have been waiting for a win for six Bundesliga games. Coach Steffen Baumgart calls for more courage in the attacking game against FC Augsburg.
In recent months, goals from Cologne have been a rarity. FC was able to score just four goals in nine games in the second half of the season. Three of the goals date from the 3-0 win against Frankfurt on February 12, the last win in the league to date. A look at the upcoming opponents from Augsburg shows: New national player Mergim Berisha alone scored one goal more than the entire FC during the period in question.
Coach Steffen Baumgart is also getting impatient: “We have to start scoring goals,” said the FC coach after the 0-0 win against Gladbach. Easier said than done. Seven goalless appearances in the past nine games have left their mark on the FC players. “It’s a head story. We’re working on that. We mustn’t think too much about whether a shot could go in or not, because then it won’t go in,” he urged, “rather one shot more than less.”
4-2-3-1 or 4-2-2-2? Baumgart leaves the system question open
In the meantime, the FC coach left it open with which formation he would like to tackle this venture. In principle, he sees no reason to make any adjustments to his system compared to the 0-0 draw in the derby. “Maybe there will be changes,” said the 51-year-old with a view to the upcoming opponent. The Augsburgers recently practiced a 4-2-2-2 system. It is quite possible that the FC will adapt to this. “Maybe we mirror their system and play with two eights. We’re still thinking about how to do it.”
Opponent Augsburg in 2023 extremely strong at home
In this case, Baumgart would dissolve the tenth position – he had called up Florian Kainz for the first time in the Rheinderby. The coach praised the Austrian’s performance and emphasized: “He did a good job. It won’t just be an experiment. Basically, I see him more in the center at the moment.” In the event of a change to a 4-2-2-2, he would also play there in Augsburg, albeit a little more defensively.
Because: Defensive stability will also be important in the Fuggerstadt. “It’s going to be a difficult undertaking,” Baumgart knew of the strength at home that will characterize Augsburg in 2023: FCA scored 13 out of 15 points at home this year and have not lost any of their five home games. In order to break this series and at the same time stop their own negative run, FC needs one thing above all: goals.
