1. FC Köln: Kwasniok sorted trio around Learst Paçarada

Can look for a new club

The 1. FC Köln slogged its bloated squad before the Bundesliga start. The victims are Imad Rondic, Jacob Christensen and Learst Paçarada, who was still a regular last season. “The squad was too big. We chose these three players and informed them. It is the toughest of all decisions, but in my view it was essential so that we can work and successfully work,” said coach Lukas Kwasniok before the league start at the 1st FSV Mainz 05 on Sunday (3:30 p.m./Sky).

Rondic, who had only come in February and has a four -year contract until 2029, as well as the Christians and Paçarada, which are contractually bound by 2026, are now training individually. “You had the opportunity to choose whether you want to train with the U21 or individually with a coaching team and then decided on the second,” said the coach. In the best case, you will still leave the club. “You took note of it,” said Kwasniok about the talks. Of course, no enormous joy had arisen with you.

Before the trio, the two attackers Sargis Adamyan and Florian Dietz had already been sorted out, but they are currently training with the second team.

The recalled promoted climber – ten fresh forces came and 15 went – sees himself as an outsider in Mainz. “We drive there as an underdog. We don’t have to make ourselves smaller than we are, but Mainz is one or two years ahead of us. It will be a Herculean task. But I believe that we can fully oppose our means,” says Kwasniok. Mainz can march incredibly, every ball started. “We can cut off a slice.”

In addition to his Bundesliga debut, he is particularly looking forward to meeting his Mainz colleague Bo Henriksen. “He is a type. He lit all of Mainz. He managed to kiss this club in his way in his way. He is the absolute key of success.” Therefore, he pulls all hats before him, but hope that Henriksen should only be so emotional before the game and no longer after the game. “Because we are the happier winner,” says Kwasniok.