1.FC Cologne welcomes FC Bayern Munich at the start of the 12th matchday in the Bundesliga. The Rhinelanders continue to search for their old performance strength. Nevertheless, coach Steffen Baumgart demands courage from his players.
It’s almost astonishing how unimpressed Steffen Baumgart is these days. His team is in 17th place in the table and is far behind their (own) expectations. After eleven match days, the crisis is tangible for 1.FC Cologne and can no longer be denied. However, the Billy Goats coach remains persistent.
“I expect my team to be courageous. Regardless of what name comes our way,” said Baumgart on Wednesday (November 22nd, 2023), two days before the Bundesliga game against FC Bayern Munich. On Friday evening (from 8:45 p.m. in the audio stream and in the live ticker) the German record champions will be guests on the Rhine.
Baumgart sticks to his style
Objectively speaking, there are no two opinions about who is the favorite, and the FC coach probably wouldn’t deny that either. Coach Thomas Tuchel’s team is second in the table and wants to put current league leaders Bayer 04 Leverkusen under pressure with a win. Nevertheless: “We want to bring our strengths to the pitch. I’m always confident that we can get points against FC Bayern,” said the Cologne football teacher. He won’t lose this optimism either.
Baumgart does not deviate from his approach and is still convinced that his style of play can bring even a seemingly overwhelming opponent like Munich (9 wins, 2 draws) to their knees. “It’s about mentality and willingness to run to be able to take something away from a team like that,” said Baumgart.
Force Bayern to make mistakes
The 51-year-old is trying to convince everyone involved in this difficult situation – the public as well as his players. His message is clear: If you don’t try it with self-confidence and belief in the impossible, you can leave it alone. “You don’t always have to talk about weaknesses,” he said. “In the end, we want to force Bayern to make mistakes and hope that they make them. And we on our side want to avoid making mistakes like those against Leipzig.”
It’s Baumgart’s grasping at straws. But who, if not him, has to radiate optimism in these difficult football times in Cologne? Of course the coach also knows what awaits him and his team. Bayern’s top striker Harry Kane, for example. “He’s outstanding. I don’t know if anyone in the Bundesliga has ever had such a goal rate. When he has the ball, it can hurt,” said Baumgart.
Ljubicic is also fit again
After all: the coach can draw on the full range of personnel. Dejan Ljubicic is also fit to play again after his cold. However, it is questionable whether he has overcome his recent low performance. “He has to see that he sticks to himself. There will be dips in performance, but he will continue to be important for us. Not just because he has the goal of being at the European Championships. He’ll pull himself out of that again,” said Baumgart and added: “And it’s best we all get out again.”
