Strong performance, weak result: Despite the defeat against Bayer Leverkusen, 1. FC Köln can remain courageous. Also because a lot is obviously possible.
The defeat against Bayer Leverkusen was for the 1. FC Cologne annoying for two reasons: Firstly, the Billy Goats missed the prestigious three-pointer against their arch-rivals. On the other hand, a win would have meant almost certain relegation. So the FC fans couldn’t celebrate either.
The victory would not only have been possible, but completely deserved. And that is exactly the good news for 1. FC Köln. In recent years, the billy goats have rarely dominated an opponent, especially a Champions League aspirant, and played them to the wall at times like Leverkusen did on Saturday.
But the game showed what is possible with this team. What 1. FC Köln can achieve if all players are fit and in shape, if the coaching team has the right game idea, if all players stick to it. Even before the season, the experts said that FC would actually have nothing to do with relegation. What they hadn’t taken into account were the fatal injury problems that the squad couldn’t deal with.
The FC is not yet saved. But on Saturday the spectators got an idea that this team is not just about staying in the league and that this can be achieved. The game was also a glimpse of the future, should sports director Thomas Kessler manage to add further quality to the squad with the right transfers in the summer. There is no question that this is necessary – in all parts of the team. But the quality is already there too.
Now it’s time to take the final step. A draw could be enough, possibly a win, but certainly four points from the last three games. If the Wagner troupe can confirm Saturday’s performance, then they will succeed. This FC is better than the place in the table. Now all we have to do is stop worrying about staying in the league so that the next season and with it a better future can be planned properly.
