1. FC Köln Faces Defensive Challenges with Key Injuries

1. FC Köln, newly promoted to the Bundesliga, is grappling with defensive challenges as they have confirmed the loss of central defender Joël Schmied due to a muscle tear. An MRI conducted on Sunday revealed the injury, which is expected to sideline Schmied for several weeks. He has been an essential player for Köln, participating in all 11 league matches, starting in nine of them.

Schmied’s injury adds to the woes of die Geißböcke, as he becomes the fourth center-back to be unavailable this season. Tim Hübers is already sidelined for the long term, while Luca Kilian may not play at all during the current campaign. Additionally, summer signing Rav van den Berg has struggled with a shoulder injury and has not seen action since matchday three.

On a positive note, head coach Lukas Kwasniok may soon have van den Berg back in the fold, as the former Middlesbrough player recently participated with the Dutch U21 team and is gradually resuming training with Köln.

In the meantime, former Germany U21 captain Eric Martel, primarily a defensive midfielder, has been effective in filling in on the defense. Veteran Dominique Heintz, along with another summer signing, Valencia loanee Cenk Özkacar, who has had limited playing time, are also options to reinforce the back line.