Köln Faces Defensive Challenges with Recent Injuries

1. FC Köln, newly promoted to the Bundesliga, is already facing a significant setback with 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 revealed by an MRI on Sunday. This injury will keep Schmied out for several weeks, and he has been a vital part of Köln’s lineup, participating in all 11 league matches and starting in nine.

Schmied’s injury marks him as the fourth center-back to be unavailable for die Geißböcke this season. Both Hübers and Luca Kilian may not return at all during the current campaign. Additionally, summer signing Rav van den Berg has struggled with a shoulder injury and has not played since matchday three.

On a positive note, it appears that head coach Lukas Kwasniok will soon be able to rely on Van den Berg once again. The former Middlesbrough player has recently competed for the Dutch U21 team and is back to training with Köln on a semi-regular basis.

Meanwhile, Eric Martel, a former Germany U21 captain and defensive midfielder, has stepped up admirably in the absence of regular defenders. Veteran Dominique Heintz and Cenk Özkacar, a summer acquisition on loan from Valencia who has seen limited playtime, can also provide support in the defense.