Baumgart discusses starting prospects of Selke, Lemperle, Adamyan, and Ljubicic

Köln trainer Steffen Baumgart discussed some of his potential attacking rotations at a Friday presser. 

After pulling off what many considered to be a tactical masterclass against German giants FC Bayern München midweek, Köln trainer Steffen Baumgart remained a bit more cagey about his lineup selections ahead of FC Schalke 04 this weekend. Baumgart famously revealed his entire starting XI and tactical formation prior to the 7-1 defeat of SV Werder Bremen last week.
Probed about his forthcoming selections by journalists eager to divine his plans, Baumgart even joked that “If I keep talking, I’ll reveal the whole lineup just like last week.” Before stopping himself, the Köln gaffer did talk about rotating either Tim Lemperle or Sargis Adamyan in to serve on the top axis alongside Steffen Tigges.

“Definitely, one of them will start,” Baumgart said, “Since it was an intense week, we will operate with freshness. Those names are a possibility.”

Baumgart has made no secret of the fact that he ultimately foresees Tigges and the newly-acquired Davie Selke operating together up front in a two-striker set. Since Selke still has some acclimatization work to do, the pairing has not yet manifested itself. Baumgart used the word “possibility” again when asked about whether he was ready to debut the pairing.

In some other squad personnel news, Baumgart divulged that central defender Timo Hübers would once again be available after having to miss out against Bayern due to a cold. Jan Thielmann, as confirmed by Baumgart, will be back in the matchday squad on his way back from a thigh injury. Per Baumgart, Dejan Ljubicic (torn ligament) is also finally fit enough to start.

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