The 1. FC Köln is about to return Bundesliga. Already on Saturday, the billy goats on the home sofa could celebrate the climb. Sports director Thomas Kessler has another plan.
It seemed as if the 1. FC Köln almost resigned itself to the 1-1 draw against 1. FC Nürnberg. Even with one point, the Cologne team in the promotion race still had everything in their own hands, but in doubt on the last matchday against 1. FC Kaiserslautern, might have needed a victory.
In the last minute of regular season, Tim Lemperle had the right nose. The attacker attacked Nuremberg’s third goalkeeper Michal Kukucka and lodged the ball off the ball. Then the striker kept an overview and served Florian Kainz, who, with his second goal, made FC and the 6000 fans who traveled with the guest block explode.
Due to the late 2-1 win, 1. FC Köln has now opened the gateway to the Bundesliga. Already on Saturday the goats could celebrate the climb if Elversberg (against Braunschweig) and Padersborn (against Magdeburg) did not win. The professionals did not yet have a specific party plan after the final whistle in Nuremberg.
“We have training tomorrow, at least that is planned,” said Kainz. But the double scorer had been missing. Coach Friedhelm Funkel donated two days off after the victory, only on Monday the Geißbockheim continues. Certainly, however, it should be that the players will watch the Saturday games in any case. “Then we hope that the games go out well for us,” said Kainz.
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Captain Timo Hübers meanwhile wanted to take things like that. “We cannot influence tomorrow. If we need another point on Sunday, we’ll get it too.” In the meantime, sports director Thomas Kessler did not want to waste any thought of the competitors. “My plan is to climb against Kaiserslautern next week. I don’t deal with everything else and nothing is planned.” The ex-goalkeeper would certainly have no objection to a safe climbing on the sofa.
Florian Kainz: “It feels very good, I am very happy. It was a giant step to achieve our goal. I am of course pleased that I contributed to it. Last week we were able to understand the fans, just like that we can understand that we are now celebrating together. After a game that we were still turning out, everyone is very euphoric. home.”
Timo Hübers: “It is super emotional now after the final whistle. We were quite close to the fans who were joy in the face. It was a very emotional finish with really important three points. After the last game, the basic tenor was before the curve. We tried to get two games together – with a certain amount of looseness and fun at the game. We deservedly won.
Marvin Schwäbe: “It is incredible, these are pure emotions. How many stones have fallen off when we stood in front of the curve – that was enormous, a great feeling. We had a short week and looked that we all the topics address and play through our game relatively easily. We played a great season, maybe not good football, but we have taken our points and that’s why we stand where we are now. I have the absolute belief in this horny team whether there is a setback or not. “
Thomas Kessler: “If you win such a game in the 90th minute, the joy is great. I think we got into the game very well, the team played good football. In the end we rewarded ourselves. We took advantage of mistakes, but also had enough opportunities to decide beforehand. In the dramaturgy, in the 90th minute, it is very nice for the team, I see a lot of lucky faces in the cabin. Week, of course, relieved. “