Ahead of the Bundesliga’s return, Bulinews brings you some analysis on one of the new boys in 1.FC Koln who have taken to life in the German topflight with aplomb.
| Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images. |
Since 1.FC Koln’s last promotion to the Bundesliga back in 2018-19, on average just shy of one the two new sides have dropped back down to the second division the following campaign. Before a ball was kicked many feared this might be the case for Effzeh in 2025-26.
However, after ten rounds of matches, the club from the Cathedral City currently sit ninth in the overall standings. With 14 points to their name and big wins over SC Freiburg, TSG Hoffenheim and Hamburger SV in the bank, it’s all looking pretty rosy so far.
Naturally enough, the Billy Goats were picked off by superior sides, but it was not for want of trying. RB Leipzig and cup opponents Bayern Munich got the job done, but VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund needed late strikes to break the Koln resistance.
Under the tutelage of Lukas Kwasniok – a coach who moulded his philosophy and strategies effectively at SC Paderborn – Koln have a real leader. He almost embodies a Steffen Baumgart-esque approach with his gung-ho approach and detailed analysis.
A successful transfer window
Mich of Koln’s success so far can be attributed to the work of Christian Keller. The club’s managing director of sport alongside Thomas Kessler and Stephan Kuesters smashed it out of the park in the summer transfer window with some elite signings.
Marius Buelter brings a raft of experience in the German topflight with two goals and three assists already. Isak Johannesson arrived from Fortuna Dusseldorf and has become a leading midfield figure, while VfL Wolfsburg loanee Jakub Kaminski has chipped in with 4 goals and an assist.
Versatility in attack
A lot of Effzeh’s joy this campaign has come from the flanks where Kwasniok tries to get his side to exploit most often. Counterattacks with an abundance of overloads have paid off handsomely for the newly promoted side so far.
Sebastian Sebulonsen and Kristoffer Lund tend to strike the right balance when deciding between attack and defence. Coupled up with the fleet-footed Kaminski, Said El Mala or Ragnar Ache and you have a recipe for lethal chance creation.
Young and old striking for gold
The harmony in Koln’s ranks seems to be almost perfect when it comes to age profiles. We see too often where a promoted side tries to rely solely on battle-hardened experience or the free-spirited eagerness of youth.
In Kwasniok’s ranks, talented gems like El Mala (19), Johannesson (22), Eric Martel (23) and Kaminski (23) can rely on leadership from those that have been around the block. Buelter (32), Florian Kainz (33) and Marvin Schwabe (30) are no strangers to the Bundesliga.
A shot-stopping maestro
Speaking of goalkeepers, Marvin Schwabe appears to be hitting the best form of his career. Of those who have featured in all 10 Bundesliga matches so far, the Dieburg native boasts the third-best shot-stopping percentage (75.5%) in the league.
The 30-year-old has also amassed the best xGoals prevented (2.2 goals in total) in his position ahead of second-best Alex Nubel (1.8 goals) and sits joint-fourth with Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann with 35 completed saves up until this juncture.
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