1. FC Cologne
Next dream goal: El Mala will be “incredibly expensive”
Updated 10/18/2025 – 8:26 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
Another dream goal: Said El Mala saves 1. FC Köln from defeat against Augsburg and is once again on everyone’s lips.
He’s simply unstoppable. The whole of football Germany is talking about Said El Mala – and the shooting star of 1. FC Köln provides further topics of conversation. In the 1-1 draw against FC Augsburg, the 19-year-old saved the “billy goats” from defeat with a dream goal.
FC coach Lukas Kwasniok initially put El Mala, who had returned from the U21 national team slightly tired, on the bench on Saturday afternoon. As soon as the winger made his way to being substituted after 59 minutes, with the score 1-0 for Augsburg, there was loud applause in the Rheinenergiestadion. In the 76th minute the celebration knew no bounds.
On the left wing, Marius Bülter, who was also a substitute, played into El Mala’s run. The dribbling artist moved into the center, left an Augsburg player standing and hammered the ball into the goal with the help of the crossbar to make it 1-1. Another dream goal from the youngster, who scored well after an irresistible solo in Hoffenheim before the international break.
“What else can you say?”, FC defender Dominique Heintz searched for the right words for the crazy scene after the final whistle and finally said: “We know what he can do. I’m happy for him because he sticks with it and keeps going. He confirms that week after week.” Cologne captain Marvin Schwäbe was also pleased: “We are currently benefiting enormously from him and his qualities.”
Before the game, coach Kwasniok was concerned about the El Mala hype and the constantly increasing expectations. Already after his first steps in the Bundesliga, the offensive talent is associated with FC Bayern Munich and the senior national team, and his market value seems to be increasing every week.
“I can’t and don’t want to keep the hype down – nor the euphoria in a city,” said Kwasniok after El Mala’s next stroke of genius, but wants to concentrate on the development of the FC jewel: “We focus on what we can influence, and that is working with the boy. If he performs so well, it means that we and he can classify things well. That really impresses me.”
This way, El Mala will also know what steps lie ahead of him. “He’s a highlight player, but there’s a world of difference between a highlight player and a good Bundesliga player. The nice thing is that he and those around him understand that,” said Kwasniok, who will certainly work on the left winger’s defensive work. Because: “It’s no use just setting highlights but not helping the team.”
However, it is the highlight goals that are already bringing El Mala into the attention of top international clubs. “If Said continues to score like this and add the Bundesliga-important aspects to the highlights, he will be incredibly expensive,” Kwasniok knows and has no illusions: “That will happen one day at some point, that’s okay.”
But first of all, the “billy goats” want to have a lot of fun with their go-getter. “He carries FC in his heart and is enjoying the phase,” explained Kwasniok on Saturday. The coach probably spoke on behalf of the Cologne fans when he added: “We enjoy it too.”