Köln Faces Defensive Challenges with Key Players Injured

1. FC Köln, newly promoted to the Bundesliga, is already grappling with significant defensive challenges following the long-term absence of former captain Tim Hübers. The club has now confirmed that central defender Joël Schmied will also be sidelined due to a muscle tear, as revealed by an MRI conducted on Sunday. Schmied, who has been a vital part of the team, participated in all 11 league fixtures thus far, starting in nine of them.

This injury marks Schmied as the fourth center-back to be unavailable for Köln this season. Both Hübers and Luca Kilian are unlikely to return for the current campaign. Additionally, summer signing Rav van den Berg has struggled with a shoulder injury and has not played since matchday three.

Despite these setbacks, it seems that Köln’s head coach Lukas Kwasniok may soon reintegrate Van den Berg into the squad more regularly. The former Middlesbrough player recently competed for the Dutch U21 team and has resumed training with his German club on a semi-regular basis.

In the meantime, former Germany U21 captain Eric Martel, who is primarily a defensive midfielder, has effectively filled in on the back line. Veteran Dominique Heintz, along with new summer acquisition Cenk Özkacar—who has had limited playing time—are also available to provide support during this challenging period.