1. FC Köln has a new Bundesliga goalscorer in Damion Downs. The young attacker promises a lot of potential for the Billy Goats.
Damion Downs became the 255th player on 1. FC Köln’s Bundesliga top scorer list on Saturday. The 19-year-old attacker came on as a substitute in the 75th minute after Borussia Mönchengladbach had just turned the game around with two goals from substitute Robin Hack within two minutes.
And similar to Borussia coach Gerardo Seoane, Timo Schultz also had to prove his luck that day. Just four minutes after coming on as a substitute, Downs was set up on the left by Denis Huseinbasic with a pass. The striker, who has already scored seven goals in the regional league, received the ball, turned over his right shoulder and shot with his left. The ball hit Ko Itakura’s legs precisely in the left corner to make it 3-3.
Downs’ “heavenly experience”
The rest was pure joy. Downs turned away, ran in front of the nearby visitors’ corner and shouted his emotions with a courageous jump into the arms of his teammates. Downs’ first Bundesliga goal couldn’t have come at a better moment. “No words needed, just a heavenly experience to score my first goal in a derby,” the German-American wrote on Instagram after the game.
Downs is already the third home-grown player to join the pros this season. After Max Finkgräfe and Justin Diehl, Downs was able to show with his first goal in the fourth short appearance why 1. FC Köln think so highly of the 1.90 meter tall attacker. Downs, together with Jaka Potocnik, who is one year younger, is considered a great storm talent for Cologne’s future.
DFL compares FC striker with Miroslav Klose
The Werneck native, who moved from FC Ingolstadt to the Billy Goats’ youth team in the summer of 2020, not only has finishing qualities in the penalty area, but can also be used flexibly behind the strikers. In the derby, Downs came on as a substitute for Faride Alidou and took over the right flank, but also repeatedly moved inwards.
Last fall, the DFL even compared the young attacker in a portrait with a 2014 world champion: “The lanky center forward has more speed than an average nine, Downs has something of Miroslav Klose in his game,” it said on bundesliga.de .
Downs should be promoted carefully
But you won’t hear such big tones about Downs at 1. FC Köln for the time being. The talent should continue to be developed carefully and remain on the ground despite the derby goal. “Damion absolutely deserves it,” said Timo Schultz after the game. “He has done very well in training and has recently drawn attention to himself in the U21 team.”
Accordingly, the squad nomination – Downs came into the squad for the suspended Jan Thielmann – was only consistent. “I told him that too, and that he’s not just there to fill up the squad, but because he can become a factor. He’s implemented that. He’s happy to keep it up,” praised Schultz.
Training camp or international matches?
However, the coach also made it clear: “The boy brings a lot to the table, but he simply needs to become clearer, become more robust, and get more into adult football. But he is another highly talented player that we want to promote.” Since Thielmann will miss another game, Downs should be back in the squad against RB Leipzig on Friday.
It is currently unclear whether Downs will go to a training camp in Spain with 1. FC Köln three days later or whether the youngster will be released for international matches. The DFB and the USA are both currently vying for the striker’s services, although he has not yet played for any association. However, after his goal in the derby, that could soon change.