1. FC Köln have to compete with a skeleton squad at Partizan Belgrade to have a chance of winning the group in the Conference League.
“It’s not an easy situation now, but we mustn’t let ourselves be defeated and have to stay with us,” said FC midfielder Florian Kainz after the Rhinelanders lost two consecutive competitive games. In the landmark match on Thursday (6.45 p.m.) in Belgrade, the Cologne team will also have to do without the support of FC fans, according to a UEFA ruling.
However, there are no worries at FC that the lack of supporters could have a negative impact on the team. “I’m not worried about that at all. The players are able to focus completely. I don’t think that what’s going on around them will play a big role,” said sporting director Christian Keller. However, coach Steffen Baumgart is missing a few players. In addition to Dejan Ljubicic, who suffered a knee injury against Gladbach and will probably be out for several weeks, the injured Jeff Chabot, Tim Lemperle, Mathias Olesen and Sebastian Andersson and Jan Thielmann, who is suffering from an infection, are also not available.
Cologne had lost the Rhine derby in the Bundesliga at Borussia Mönchengladbach (2:5) and the home game in the Conference League against Belgrade (0:1) on Sunday and is now under pressure. Going into the 4th matchday, FC are third in the table (four points) and one point behind Nice and Belgrade in the top ranks. Only the first in the group qualifies for the round of 16. The eight second move into an upstream knockout round against the eight Europa League relegated.