1. FC Köln will face FC Fehervar in the playoffs for the Conference League.
The Hungarian team of German coach Michael Boris also won the second leg of the third qualifying round at FC Petrocub-Hincesti from Moldova 2-1 (2-1). A week ago, Hungary had won 5-0 (3-0) at home.
“Of course we want to get as far as possible in the Conference League,” said coach Boris in an interview with RTL / ntv. “One goal was at least to reach the playoff game, which we have now achieved.”
The German formulated cautious goals for the duels with the Cologne team. “It always depends on the form on the day. We look at Cologne, how they play, what they plan to do. We’ll try to be in the best shape on the day.”
Boris expects “outstanding” scenery at 1. FC Köln
Is it an advantage for the club to be able to play the second leg in front of their own crowd? Boris is undecided: “We can talk about that after the first game.” Due to the elimination of the away goals rule, it basically doesn’t matter when and where the game is played. For the first leg, he hopes that his team will keep the stadium calm with their own performance. He knows what the “outstanding” scenery can do.
Georgian Budu Zivzivadze scored twice on Thursday, the striker’s second goal was scored by ex-Hertha player Pálko Dárdai, son of Pál Dárdai. Former Mainz player Kenan Kodro came on for Dárdai early in the second half.
In the playoffs, Cologne will have a home game on August 18th, a week later (August 25th) they will go to Szekesfehervar, around 60 km south-west of Budapest.
The Effzeh could use the income from the Conference League very well, financially the club is not too rosy. Should Cologne survive the playoffs, the group phase will begin for the Bundesliga club on September 8th.
The team from Cologne was last represented in the 2017/18 season in the European Cup. At that time they were eliminated in the group stage of the Europa League – and at the end of the season they were relegated to the 2nd Bundesliga as bottom of the table.