1. FC Köln is well on its way to having the weakest season in the club’s history. The parallels to the last descent are becoming ever greater.
For many months, people at Geißbockheim wanted to turn a blind eye to the fact that 1. FC Köln would find themselves in dire relegation trouble this season. After the false start with just one point from seven games, it was said that the team just had to bring the quality they certainly had on the pitch and then the points would follow on their own.
Eleven match days later, FC only have ten points more and are still at the bottom of the table with the same number of points as the bottom team from Darmstadt. It therefore remains to be seen that those responsible probably overestimated the quality of their own team at the start of the season.
Only a win saves FC from the worst record
Because eleven points from 18 games and only eleven goals scored are a record that is not suitable for the Bundesliga. And things could get even worse: If Cologne doesn’t manage to win against VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday, FC will have the weakest record in the club’s history.
Because in 2017/18, when FC fell from the Europa League to the second division, the “billy goats” had collected twelve points after 19 match days and a goal difference of minus 19. With currently minus 22 goals, only a win would be a sad one Prevent the setting of the negative record.
Numerous fires outside of sports
In general, some events seem to be repeating themselves this season compared to the last relegation season. At that time, too, there were numerous sources of unrest outside the square. Among other things, coach Peter Stöger and managing director Jörg Schmadtke had a falling out, which ultimately culminated in the separation of the sports director.
Coach out and bad luck with injuries
In December 2017, the figurehead Stöger finally came to an end. Almost exactly six years later, Steffen Baumgart, the face of the club, left again. In addition, the bad luck with injuries (Uth, Waldschmidt, Selke) that accompanied FC for almost the entire season in 2017/18 has also set in this season.
However, there is also a positive parallel. The support of the fans then and now is still unbroken. Despite the threat of the seventh relegation in the club’s history, the supporters are still unconditionally behind their team.
Another failure at VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday wouldn’t change that. Even if this would mean the weakest balance in the club’s 76-year history. But 1. FC Cologne still has the opportunity to prevent this and also to avert the all-important parallel: the impending move to the second division.