Tuesday, February 24, 2026
The series of injuries at 1. FC Köln continues: Joel Schmied, another Billy Goats player, is out due to a torn muscle fiber. After the 2-2 draw against TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday, the Swiss complained of muscular problems, and an MRI scan on Monday finally led to the diagnosis.
FC had already announced on Sunday that Jan Thielmann and Sebastian Sebulonsen were out, also due to torn muscle fibers. The forced break is particularly bitter for Schmied, as the central defender only celebrated his comeback after a more serious muscle injury on the carnival weekend.
The people of Cologne may also have to worry about Said El Mala. FC’s top scorer broke off the first training session of the week early on Tuesday afternoon. After a good 40 minutes, El Mala grabbed his left thigh and left the pitch. More detailed investigations will follow.
1. FC Köln is still celebrating Ragnar Ache’s overhead kick goal against TSG Hoffenheim after the weekend. The official Bundesliga account of the German Football League (DFL) spoke of a “goal like a painting”. The Spanish account of the pay channel DAZN called the hit a “scandalous overhead kick”.
The Spanish newspaper AS even called for Ache to receive the FIFA Puskas Prize. This honor is given to the player who scores the most aesthetic and beautiful goal in a season. A prize as a tribute to the former top Hungarian striker Ferenc Puskás. “This is the goal of the Bundesliga and probably the Puskas Prize,” wrote AS. “One of those overhead kicks that we’ll see repeats of for years to come.”
