Kwasniok full of praise for “King of the Air” Ragnar Ache

The 27-year-old scored a phenomenal goal as Köln earned a 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim.

It’s safe to say that Köln manager Lukas Kwasniok is happy with striker Ragnar Ache. Ache scored the opener for the hosts with a stunning bicycle kick after only 15 minutes. Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann could only watch as the ball whistled into the back of the net.

Hoffenheim eventually fought back to secure a 2-2 draw, but that didn’t make Ache’s goal any less special.

“All I want to see today is the headline: Ragnar Ache – King of the Air,” said Kwasniok in a press conference after the game.

The goal was his fifth of the Bundesliga season, and fourth in his last six games. Only Said El Mala has more goals for Effzeh, as Ache, who was a substitute at the start of the season, has become a crucial player for Kwasniok and Köln.

“He’s come a long way and is an indispensable part of the team,” said Kwasniok.

Ache joined in July 2025 after two strong seasons in the 2. Bundesliga with 1. FC Kaiserslautern. He found minutes hard to come by, though, with Köln initially using Marius Bülter up top.

Ache has fought his way into the starting eleven, though. He scored his first goal for Effzeh in October in the DFB Pokal, although Köln lost 4-1 to Bayern Munich. Days later, the striker scored his first goal in the Bundesliga.

His strong form has continued into 2026. Ache has four goals already this year, with a brace in a crucial win over Mainz before goals against Stuttgart and now Hoffenheim. In total, he’s up to six goals and six assists in all competitions this season. 

It doesn’t hurt that some of the goals have been fantastic, either. His strike against Hoffenheim will not be forgotten in Köln anytime soon.

“The vote for Goal of the Year will now only be about second place,” said Kwasniok.