1. FC Cologne
That’s why El Mala isn’t playing right from the start
October 20, 2025 – 5:21 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Said El Mala is the player of the moment at 1. FC Köln. Why did the shooting star play from the start?
Normally Sandro Wagner is not at a loss for any saying. And the FC Augsburg coach is basically very knowledgeable when it comes to dribbling artists. After all, the former striker once played together with Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery at FC Bayern Munich. However, Wagner did not want to comment on Said El Mala’s abilities on Saturday evening after the 1-1 draw at 1. FC Köln.
“He’s a young German player who benefits from holding the ball a little flat,” the ex-national player fended off a question about the Cologne winger and passed it on to his Cologne colleague Lukas Kwasniok. “He sees him more often,” Wagner rightly stated.
Since taking office, the FC coach has had to comment on the 19-year-old at almost every press conference. It’s not uncommon for this to be about the playing times of the Bundesliga newcomer, who – it’s hard to believe given all the hype – was only in the starting line-up once.
If you let the Cologne fans make the lineup, there would probably never be a way past El Mala. Kwasniok, however, takes a different approach for two reasons. On the one hand, El Mala’s body first has to get used to the Bundesliga level.
Before the Augsburg game, when the offensive talent returned from the U21 national team with two international games under his belt, Kwasniok emphasized: “I don’t want to sit here one day and answer the question: ‘Why didn’t you pay attention to the boy?'”
But El Mala simply still has to learn. After Wagner referred to him at the press conference, Kwasniok acknowledged the abilities of his exceptional talent, but also explained: “There are worlds between a highlight player and a good Bundesliga player.”
The FC coach is primarily concerned with defensive work, which is of course less noticeable than a dream goal. “It’s no use just setting highlights but not helping the team overall,” said the 44-year-old, without wanting to criticize El Mala: “The nice thing is that he and those around him understand that.”
Kwasniok sees a role model for the starter in his own ranks: “Jakub Kaminski is not an absolute highlight player, but he is two or three classes ahead and more valuable for the team – with all due respect.” The task is to get El Mala to where Kaminski is now at 23 years old.
Ex-Bayern stars Robben and Ribery also once had to learn to defend. “Bayern got away from Dortmund when Ribery and Robben were ready to work backwards,” Kwasniok said during pre-season preparation when it came to El Mala and his development.
If the Cologne jewel not only moves forward in attack but also goes backwards in defense, a regular place at FC is just as much a matter of time as a record transfer to a top club. Kwasniok wants to work on this with El Mala and continue to find the right amount of playing time.