Match winner against Hoffenheim
© Imago
For Cologne coach Lukas Kwasniok, Said El Mala is “a street footballer who simply has a godly gift”, for defenders Joël Schmied above all “a super boy”. The 19-year-old top talent home-made a lot of praise after the 1-0 win at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. The reason was all too obvious: El Mala’s wonderful dribbling including a precise conclusion in the 16th minute, which brought the Bundesliga promoter to 4th place with ten points before the international break.
“I told him before the game: ‘Come into your game with simple actions. You don’t have to prove to everyone that you are the dribble artist par excellence’ – and then he delivers a game so quickly,” Schmied enthused about the young offensive artist. “My tip was well fertile and he does it incredibly well.”
In view of El Mala’s world-class goal, some of the more than 10,000 Cologne fans traveled with European Cup trips to Milan. For the El Mala, led with a market value of 3 million euros in the TM database, the trip could have ended four years ago when it was no longer possible for him in the Borussia Mönchengladbach youth center. It was only through TSV Meerbusch and Viktoria Köln that the native of Krefeld, together with Bruder Malek (20), made it into professional football.
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“Now we have to see that we keep the boy on the ground. Then it comes quite well,” said Schmied after El Mala’s first starting eleven mission this season. Previously, he had been substituted five times in five games. A “healthy self -confidence” had already had the young star, bound to the Domstadt -based company by 2030 – which should be even greater by the number two and another conspicuous performance. In summer, Brighton & Hove Albion vehemently dredged the Youngster, even after his signature under a new working paper in Cologne. Up to EUR 15 million would be in the room.
When asked about a possible appeal El Malas to the German A national team, Kwasniok reacted little euphoric at “Sky”. He had already seen a number of top talents who were written up to world stars, but nothing was heard from. “The only thing that helps you is hard work, remain humble. And then the qualities he undoubtedly has to call up week after week. That’s why it will go.”