Training canceled
Scary moment before the derby: Cologne fears for star players
Updated on November 5, 2025 – 1:51 p.mReading time: 1 min.
On Saturday, Borussia Mönchengladbach and 1. FC Köln meet in the derby. The guests from the cathedral city may be missing a key player.
A few days before the derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach, 1. FC Köln is worried about its offensive player Said El Mala. The 19-year-old had to stop training on Wednesday due to injuries. As several media reports, El Mala suffered an injury to his left ankle in a duel.
Pictures show how the young star was first treated on the pitch and then sat on a medical kit with an ice pack on his foot. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to play in the away game in Gladbach on Saturday (from 6.30 p.m. in the live ticker on t-online).
El Mala has already caused a stir on several occasions this season. In nine league games, the 19-year-old scored four goals and prepared two more. According to media reports, several top European clubs have already expressed interest in him. There is also speculation that he is an option for the DFB squad that national coach Julian Nagelsmann will announce on Thursday for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Luxembourg (November 14th) and against Slovakia (November 17th).
His loss in the derby would be particularly painful for Cologne. Central defender Timo Hübers is already missing a top performer due to a serious injury. Coach Lukas Kwasniok will have to do without him for months.
Winger Jan Thielmann couldn’t make a comeback in the derby either. The 23-year-old was recently missing due to a muscle injury and was hoping for the game in Gladbach. But he was also initially missing from training this week.