What options does Timo Schultz still have for turning things around?

At 1. FC Köln there is currently little reason for hope in the relegation battle. What options does Timo Schultz still have to turn things around in the short term?

The air in the relegation battle is getting thinner and thinner for 1. FC Köln. In the meantime, the competition in the bottom of the table has started to celebrate surprising points gains. Werder Bremen wins at Bayern, VfL Bochum against VfB Stuttgart and SV Darmstadt 98 draws against Eintracht Frankfurt after a 2-0 defeat.

Only at 1. FC Cologne have there been any surprises so far this season. Even against a weak Borussia Dortmund, the Billy Goats were unable to score a goal. Instead, FC conceded four goals against harmless Dortmund.

Less than 24 hours later, Cologne were unable to score any goals in the test against VfL Bochum. The 2-0 defeat against Bochum, who competed with the second guard, gave little reason for optimism on Sunday. So what adjustments can coach Timo Schultz still make?

“A few players recommended themselves today,” said Schultz after the test, in which those players who were not in the starting line-up against BVB were used. However, the coach then only singled out two defenders: “Luca Kilian played a really good game. Dominique Heintz also did very, very well in both positions.”

However, it is unlikely that Schultz will tear apart the previously largely stable central defender duo consisting of Jeff Chabot and Timo Hübers. Rather, Benno Schmitz could get a new chance again after Rasmus Carstensen’s recent poor performance (missed on Tuesday due to illness).

FC had some good offensive moves again, but were again unable to reward themselves in the end. “That’s the topic that’s at the top right now.” The coach has already tried out a new variant against Dortmund without a classic striker. The nominal successors to the injured Davie Selke either sat on the bench for 90 minutes (Steffen Tigges) or were not in the squad at all (Florian Dietz).

Meanwhile, a 19-year-old could provide new momentum. Justin Diehl, who has been pardoned since the winter and is part of the professional team again, was recently able to draw attention to himself with his two joker appearances. “Justin leaves an excellent impression. He is of course a player that an audience can look forward to – with his pace, with his offensive one-on-one,” said Schultz and announced: “He is definitely a candidate for the starting eleven “.

It is possible that Diehl will replace the recently unsuccessful Linton Maina in the guest appearance in Wolfsburg on Saturday. According to Schultz, the youngster is “not at all” aware of the hustle and bustle surrounding Diehl’s unclear contract situation.

Schultz has now drawn the first personnel consequences. Mathias Olesen, a midfielder, left the club on loan on Tuesday. The Luxembourger had not been in the squad once under Schultz. Now the 22-year-old is supposed to gain match practice with the Swiss first division club Yverdon-Sport FC and then return to Cologne for the new season as a perceived newcomer.

Schultz also sent left-back Noah Katterbach permanently to the U21s at the start of the new training week. The Cologne native has already informed the club that he wants to change careers in the summer. According to reports, the defender has come to an agreement with Hamburger SV.

It is possible that with the transfer to the Cologne amateurs, a change will be forced from FC’s perspective this winter. After all, HSV probably has no interest in getting a player without any match practice in the summer. Meanwhile, FC would like to save on the player’s high salary.

Meiko Waschenbach, on the other hand, can be back with the professionals sooner than expected. The 19-year-old was only sent back to the U21 by Schultz last week. However, after the midfielder had performed well in the friendly against Bochum, the coach pulled the captain of last year’s FC U19 back up. Now Waschenbach can hope for his first squad nomination in the Bundesliga in the next few weeks.