Steffen Baumgart has it 1. FC Cologne put into a kind of permanent attack mode. His style of play is intense, courageous – and above all extremely successful. 28 points stand for the FC on the plus side after 18 games. Just one less than in the 2016/17 season, which ended up taking Cologne to Europe.
It is therefore not surprising that Baumgart will stick to his full-throttle tactics against FC Bayern on Saturday. The billy goats’ last win against the record champions shows that attacking against Munich is often the best form of defence. On February 5, 2011, the billy goats turned a 0:2 deficit into a 3:2. And there are a few reasons why this success could repeat itself.
Modest with brains
In 2011 it was Milivoje Novakovic who became the match winner with his brace. And now 1. FC Köln has another striker in its ranks in Anthony Modeste who likes to hit twice – four times this season. The type and manner of its hits is comparatively transparent. Because the 33-year-old prefers to use flanks with his head.
This is exactly what has become a real weapon of the Rhinelanders this season. Twelve headed goals are top in the league, nine of which are attributed to the Frenchman. That could be a real recipe for success against Bayern, because the league leaders have already conceded six goals with a header.
Cologne is bursting with self-confidence
No other team is currently in as good shape as 1. FC Köln. The billy goats are the only team to have won all of their last three Bundesliga games. Only one of the last eight games was lost (0:2 against Augsburg). The FC defied all personnel shortages, and even without his departed defender Rafael Czichos, Cologne recently managed to convince at Hertha.