Karlsruher SC - 1.FC Köln

Here we have a match between two traditional teams in Germany. They played 1.Bundesliga already and they meet each other often in the past years. Both Clubs with a lot of ups and downs in the past seasons / years and also both are very unstable in their management. Additional they have some financial problems as well and this is the outcome at the moment. Of course they are on a better way now again but they need still time to build up a solid basis. Last meeting between these clubs was 2008 where Cologne won 2-0 there. From the players was only Miso Brecko on the pitch, Chihi, McKenna, and Stoll were all injured but they are still in the squad. Can Cologne continue their run or maybe can KSC stop this?

After their weakest performance last week they lost 0-3 in Aue which was an absolutely deserved result. They want to bounce back now and find their strength from the first nine matches where they collected 12 Points so far which hold them away from danger zone. Therefore they should try to get something here not to fall down more in table. Nevertheless it is a big task today as with Cologne they face an unbeaten team with a great run in the past matches but KSC got some hope back because with the win against Cottbus two weeks ago they celebrated their first home victory and played not such bad. Of course the last match is in their heads and therefore Coach Kauczinski wants to change some, whether tactic or players we will see. Normally they play 4-4-2 but after the big disaster in Aue he wants to be more compact in the middle and change maybe to 4-2-3-1 with only one striker. Van der Biezen can play alone up front while Nararov plays a bit behind him while Alibaz gives his comeback after injury what is not a bad news. Additional the left wing was very weak with Mast and Kempe what probably leads to the next change here, this can be the chance from Vitzthum who get the defensive part while Manuel Torres moves from the right to the left wing and play offensive.

This is the third away match in a row for Cologne. Of course they are riding on a wave of success and this is not the problem wherever they play at the moment. Both matches in the past were won 1-0, if Cup vs. Mainz or League vs. Aalen. They showed that they one of the expected promotion candidates. Coach Stöger has formed a very good team so far and his tactic seems to be the right as well. So they are very hard to beat at the moment and in offensive they are always able to score some with players like Helmes, Risse, Ujah, Halfar, Peszko. And the most important thing is that they have some guys on bench who help them additional if they come in. Overall a big quality this year !!! All said that they want to continue their run and put the pressure on the other teams high. For this, Coach Stöger counts on the same starting lineup as in the past. No changes expected. Although if he changes the system from 4-4-2 to 4-2-3-1 as practiced against Mainz one striker Ujah or Helmes must on bench while with Peszko or Matuschyk a midfield player comes in and should help to be more compact and stable additional. Central back should be unchanged as Wimmer beside Maroh did his job very well and they did not concede in the past 4 matches, therefore all well at the moment..