Jeff Chabot is available again for 1. FC Köln against VfB Stuttgart. Davie Selke could also be back on the pitch sooner than expected.
There won’t be much change in personnel at 1. FC Köln for the away game at VfB Stuttgart. Youngster Damion Downs suffered a concussion in the last U21 game and will therefore not be available for the professionals or the regional league team.
In addition, Faride Alidou will probably not make the trip to Swabia. The winger had withdrawn before the game against Werder Bremen due to illness and missed an entire week of training. “It’s a 50:50 decision as to whether it makes sense to take him with us at the weekend,” said coach Timo Schultz on Thursday at the press conference before the game.
However, since the 22-year-old had not been on the training pitch once up to this point, it is unlikely that Alidou will get on the team bus on Friday. However, the “billy goats” can look forward to the return of Jeff Chabot.
Chabot “completely set” at FC
The central defender was suspended due to his fifth yellow card in Hoffenheim against Werder Bremen. The defensive giant will now return to the starting line-up at VfB. Schultz made no secret of this two days before the game. “Everyone can see the sporting significance,” said the coach. “He is completely positioned at the back, strong in duels and creates a good atmosphere on the pitch and in the dressing room,” praised Schultz and added: “He is our secret boss.”
After the departures of Jonas Hector and Ellyes Skhiri this season, Cologne is known to lack leaders on and off the pitch. It is all the more important for FC that, alongside Chabot, Davie Selke will also be available again soon. The attacker and top goalscorer (five goals) has been missing since mid-January due to a foot injury.
Selke return already in the derby?
However, Selke is now back on the pitch and, contrary to the original plan, will probably become an option again in the next few weeks. “It really looks like he can return before the international break,” confirmed Schultz.
Unlike Luca Waldschmidt (fractured fibula) and Mark Uth (strained knee ligament), Selke may be able to return to the squad in one of the two derbies against Bayer Leverkusen (March 3) or Borussia Mönchengladbach (March 8).
This would be particularly important for FC in the last third of the season, as they are particularly struggling on offense. The efforts recently in Hoffenheim and against Bremen were “not sufficient,” as Timo Schultz admitted. It is a “matter of attitude” on the part of the players to “take risks more often” and “demand, hold and play the ball forward.”
However, the Cologne team are anything but favorites against the surprise team from Stuttgart. Nevertheless, at the end of the trip to Swabia there should be something worthwhile for 1. FC Köln. Schultz doesn’t care whether he’s happy or not. “The main thing is that we win the game.”