The 1. FC Köln has won the next three points against FC Schalke 04. However, the strength increases after the intensive week.
The team was noticeable against FC Schalke 04 that the professionals of the 1st FC Köln could not simply shake the intensive 120 minutes from last Wednesday in the trophy against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. After the emotionally and physically challenging game, the Cologne team had to struggle with their forces.
So Eric Martel, who replaced the blocked Timo Hübers not only in central defense, but also as a captain, had to be replaced at the second half. The 22-year-old had run 16.5 kilometers in the trophy and now had to deal with muscular problems against Schalke. “He was almost a half marathon,” said team -mate Joël Schmied, but showed himself confidently: “He should cure himself well and then hopefully he will be back next week.”
The replacement is said to have been only a precaution, as coach Gerhard Struber said afterwards. “Let’s take a look at Eric. He perceived something that built up the match. is available again promptly.
Damion Downs, the only goal scorer of the day, has now “driven empty” after the exhausting week, as Struber explained. The striker was replaced ten minutes before the end for Imad Rondic. Meanwhile, Dejan Ljubicic got a blow on the muscles, which is why the Austrian could no longer continue playing. “But it doesn’t look like a structural injury at all,” said Struber all -clear. For FC professionals, it is now time to regenerate quickly. The next away game at the 1st FC Magdeburg is already on the program on Friday.
Joël Schmied: “I now feel my calves extremely, I think I have to raise them up and throw in magnesium properly (laughs). It was an incredible week. We really fought on Wednesday and today. The legs are incredibly heavy. You saw that there is passion. Everyone thrown everything in for over 90 minutes. The game continues to give us confidence. Playing at zero is always very important for us defenders – the joy is sometimes greater than 4: 3. The three points are most important. Tomorrow nobody asks whether we could have a counterattack. We heard it in the stadium of the fans: we are the lead again. “
Damion Downs: “I saw that Linton speculated, so I was looking for the way to the goal. When I got the ball from Linton, it was a pretty simple goal for me. It’s a lot of fun playing with Linton – As a striker, we can be dangerous to score. “
Thomas Kessler: “The bottom line was that we had a week with a very emotional game over 120 minutes, where we had to leave everything on the pitch. That’s why it was a big challenge today. We are very happy that we won the game. It was not a glossy performance, But no coincidence that we get a situation on the silver tray.
Gerhard Struber: “It was important to free us emotionally from this cup situation. The boys once again demonstrated that everyone is ready to put everything on the table here. It doesn’t always look so beautiful, the football is not always Tops of the greatest control. Better play ready to get peace. “
Kees van Wonderen: “I congratulate Cologne and Gerhard on victory. I think the game was decided by a moment in which a young player makes an assessment that he hopefully never makes again. But that happens in football. I want to see brave players on the pitch .