Damion Downs is likely to be missing 1. FC Köln in the next two games. The top scorer has to be operated on at the hand.
The 1. FC Köln has to do without two other top performers at the away game against SSV Ulm on Saturday (from 1 p.m.). Eric Martel and Damion Downs did not travel to the Danube with the team on Friday afternoon. After the 0-1 defeat at Karlsruher SC last weekend, the “goats” had recently had to cope with the failure of top preparers Linton Maina.
Martel, who had paused the day before because of an infection, initially took part in the final unit in the Franz-Kremer Stadium on Friday afternoon, but ultimately had to wave off. The U21 international is still too weak to go to Ulm. Downs, in turn, drove home before training.
Instead of the Ulm game, an operation is waiting for the German-American. Last Saturday Downs in Karlsruhe suffered a hand injury. The actual plan of those responsible provided for the striker in Ulm and against Darmstadt with a special rail and can be operated on during the subsequent international break.
However, his pain and swelling on the wrist are still so strong that it is not possible. Downs had tried to return to training on Thursday – after half an hour he had to stop the unit. “At the moment there is still a poking that brings him out of concentration,” coach Gerhard Struber reported. On Friday, they decided to prefer the operation that was already necessary, so that Downs Ulm and Darmstadt missed, but will definitely be available again after the international break.
The good news before the 25th matchday: Dominique Heintz and Learst Pacarada, who also lacked on Thursday due to illness, were able to train again and, unlike Martel, also started the trip to Ulm. However, in a somewhat special way: The two defenses did not drive together with the team to Messe/Deutz station, but took a later train so as not to put on a teammate.
With Oliver Schmitt and Emin Kujovic, two U21 players also traveled with the professionals, so Struber can react if one of the wobbly candidates is still. “We have a situation in which one or the other player has the opportunity to come in play.
Goal: Marvin Schwäbe, Anthony Racioppi
Defense: Jusuf Gazibegovic, Jan Thielmann – Dominique Heintz, Timo Hübers, Joel Schmied, Neo Telle – Max Finkgräfe, Learst Pacarada
Midfield: Denis Huseinbasic, Dejan Ljubicic, Emin Kujovic Mathias Olesen – Florian Kainz, Marvin Obuz, Luca Waldschmidt
Storm: Tim Lemperle, Imad Rondic, Steffen Tigges, Oliver Schmitt
Injured/sick/advanced training: Jacob Christensen, Luca Kilian, Julian Pauli, Mark Uth, Linton Maina, Damion Downs, Eric Martel
With the U21: Jaka Cuber Potocnik, Georg Strauch, Meiko Sponsel