Max Kofler: Die Revolution

Every team has a bad patch during a season, and this is just one of them hopefully. I think with the quality Maxs Koln possess, Koln should be just fine

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A busy month started promisingly for Köln in a 2-0 victory against Polish Ekstraklasa side Jagiellona Białystok in the UEFA Europa League. A 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen followed, with Jonathan Tah denying Effzeh all three points with an eighty-third minute equaliser for the current lead-leaders.

A heavy 4-1 defeat against 1. FSV Mainz 05 marked the end of Köln's unbeaten run in all competitions, as the hosts completely outplayed their below-par opponents at the Opel Arena. It was a disappointing result for Köln, who had previously maintained the best defensive record in the league ahead of the game.

Returning to the Europa League, Köln were unable to find a way past a strong and resolute FC Krasnodar defence and, similarly to Sevilla in the previous round of fixtures, were held to a 0-0 draw - meaning Krasnodar, Köln and Sevilla all sat on five points after three games.

Without a win in five consecutive Bundesliga fixtures, Köln needed a result against FC Ingolstadt 04 to rejuvenate their ambitions of reclaiming a place in Europe next season. It appeared it wouldn't be their afternoon, as they hit the upright on no more than five separate occasions. However, it finally aided the hosts - with Kevin Kampl's free-kick hitting the underside of the bar before creeping over the line to seal a 1-0 victory at the RheinEnergieStadion.

A 2-0 victory against 2. Bundesliga outfit SV Sandhausen allowed Max Kofler's side to continue their run in the DFB-Pokal - a competition they enjoyed success in last season, finishing runners-up to Bayern Munich in a closely-contested final, which required extra-time before Bayern ran out 3-1 winners.

However, the month would end on negative terms, with RB Leizpig proving too strong for Köln at the Red Bull Arena. Timo Werner and Yussuf Poulsen produced a masterclass in finishing, with the pair each scoring a goal apiece in a 2-0 win. The visitors continued to be wasteful, with eighteen-year-old forward Nicolás Fernández far too many chances wide. Converting just eight times, their poor record in-front of goal is only bettered by TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (seven) and FC Ingolstadt 04 (four).


Bayer Leverkusen continue to lead the way at the top of the Bundesliga, but their lead has been cut to just a solitary point over second-placed 1. FSV Mainz 05. Bayern Munich have improved after a steady-start and are now just three points off-the-pace with a game in-hand over the two sides directly above them. Eintracht Frankfurt complete the top four, as they sit narrowly ahead of RB Leipzig on goal-difference.

Leipzig are accompanied by Hamburger SV in the Europa League places, with Hannes Wolf's side keen to show their fifth-place finish in the Bundesliga last season was far from a fluke. They appear to be showing no signs of 'second season syndrome,' despite many pundits tipping them to struggle this time around.

At the bottom, three sides are all-level on four points apiece. TSG 1899 Hoffenheim reside in sixteenth, with SV Werder Bremen and FC Augsburg below them in the relegation-zone. Bremen have played a game more than their two positional-rivals, having played ten games so far.

Max Kofler's Köln will host FC Krasnodar to begin November, before travelling to take on fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt. The RheinEnergieStadion then plays host to three consecutive home fixtures, with the first coming against FC Schalke 04, before an all-important fixture against Sevilla. The month concludes with the visit of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, who are in desperate need of points given their surprisingly dismal start to the season.

Replies

Justice: Saint-Maximin certainly had our number on the night and we just couldn't stop him. The link-up play between him and Burkardt was unstoppable. I'm not surprised to see them doing so well again this season, they're a dangerous side. The results have been far from ideal and we need to regain some momentum, desperately.

LFC: It was certainly not a particularly pleasant way to surrender our unbeaten record. I expected a lot more fight, but we were awful. The performances haven't been seen since, which is a huge concern at the moment. We're really lacking a cutting edge, despite Fernandez finding his feet, to an extent. A few clean-sheets this month, but I can't help but feel the defensive aspect to our game is slipping.

Maguire: Indeed, but there needs to be a turning point. November is going to be a hugely important month for us.

The performances are seemingly becoming very inconsistent. Picking up some decent results at times winning by a couple of goals and keeping a clean sheet, before having a few poor games like the one at Mainz. Hopefully Max can steady the ship next month and start finding some consistency again. Interesting to see Hoffenheims poor start, hopefully Koln can take advantage!

Some very mixed results there unfortunately. It does appear as though your lack of fortune in front of goal has hindered your progress significantly in the league. If you can get back into goal scoring form, your fortunes should be able to turn. Still doing well in Europe, mind, with two solid results this month. Time to get back into form.

Unlucky in the league, but I’m certain you can turn it around. Turn those draws into wins and you’re flying.

A tough month with a lot to reflect on for sure, and a few worrying signs, especially the lack of goals. To look on the positive side Koln are still in a respectable 10th place despite the form and doing well in the DFB Pokal and Europa League. Maybe the DFB Pokal might be a competition to focus on for Maxs side, as then Koln could still qualify for the Europa League by that route.

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After scoring eleven times in thirty-one appearances last season during his debut campaign in Germany, Köln striker Denis Drăguș has endured a horrific barren run in-front of goal this season. What has happened to the Romanian international?

Following yet another dismal performance in his side's 3-3 thrill-fest against Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League, which sealed Effzeh's progression into the last thirty-two of the competition, the 21-year-old has failed to score in his last nine appearances. As a result, his tally for the season remains at just one goal - scored during Köln's 2-1 victory against Hannover 96 in September - from nineteen games (five of which came from the substitutes bench).

Drăguș has looked lethargic in his performances over the entirety of the season since returning from international duty with Romania following their European Championship campaign this summer. He participated in all three of Romania's games throughout the tournament, as they finished bottom of Group C - a group which consisted of France, the Netherlands and Norway. He scored one of Romania's two goals over the course of their three games, as they lost 2-1 to group winners, France.

In fact, despite his poor form in Germany, Drăguș has continued to play a part in his country's UEFA Nations League C Group 2 campaign. He scored earlier this month in a 5-1 victory against Georgia, which allowed Romania to finish second in the group, narrowly behind Bosnia & Herzegovina who have subsequently been promoted to League B.

Completing a £4,500,000 move from FC Viitorul Constanța in Romania's Liga I, Drăguș was expected to continue upon his astonishing debut season in the Bundesliga after he scored sixteen goals in all competitions, eleven of which came in the top-flight of German football last season. However, this has not come to fruition at all for the young forward.

Now being touted with a move away from the RheinEnergieStadion, with fellow Bundesliga outfit Hamburger SV rumoured to be interested in securing his services, Drăguș is in desperate need of revitalising his form. Köln have witnessed a steep decline in-front of goal without the aid of the Romanian, scoring just nine goals this season - the second lowest in the entire division, with only FC Ingolstadt 04 (five) scoring fewer.

Köln head-coach Max Kofler has admitted that discussions have taken place between himself and Drăguș regarding his future at the club, hinting there is a strong possibility the 21-year-old could be loaned out for the remainder of the season. As such, reinforcements would be required to aid the hapless front-line at the club, which has played a part in Effzeh's poor form recently.

Both Wout Weghorst and Nicolás Fernández were brought in this summer from VfL Wolfsburg and Defensor Sporting, respectively, with a collective fee of £5,800,000 spent to sign the duo. The pair have flopped significantly and have failed to live up to expectations, with the former AZ Alkmaar forward Weghorst scoring just three goals in all competitions, with 18-year-old Fernández scoring four - two of which came in the Bundesliga against Bayer Leverkusen and 1. FSV Mainz 05.

Currently tenth in the Bundesliga table, Köln have recorded just four separate victories this season, drawing six of their thirteen games in the division. This is in-part to their strong defensive record, which has seen Köln concede just ten goals so far - a record only beaten by Bayer Leverkusen (five) and FC Schalke 04 (eight)

With a desperate need for goals, the goal-shy performances of Denis Drăguș are certainly not resolving the issues that present themselves at Köln. Does his future remain at the RheinEnergieStadion and will he regain his form before the end of the season? There are many questions to be answered in the coming weeks.

Replies

LFC: You're correct, results have been inconsistent and that's reflected in our league position. Things need to improve and quickly.

Justice: It's very difficult to progress when you're lacking goals. You can't rely on scoring just one goal every game, you're putting far too much pressure on your defence that way. Somebody needs to step-up and that has been highlighted significantly in this update. Thankfully, we have done very well in Europe and can now look forward to the knockout phases thanks to our result against Sevilla. It may prove to be the turning-point, especially given we scored three goals in one game (miracle!)

SoA: Very much so. Having the ability to score an extra goal due to some increase fire-power could reap some huge rewards.

Maguire: The league will always be the primary focus. That's the biggest prize of them all and our main objectives at the start of the season lie in the Bundesliga. However, I am pleased with the work we've put in in the DFB-Pokal and Europa League, definitely. It would be fantastic to enjoy a good run in the cup, whilst also impressing in the league and in Europe.

A really sharp drop down this month from your high position after the first month. The goals are worryingly drying up (I know I keep saying Pohjanpalo this and that) so a key addition in the upcoming window is a really good goalscorer or at least a flair signing like Barbosa last season. This could also help take the heat off the underperforming Dragus.

Dry spells happen for everybody. It is a shame that it happened to three attackers at the same time. The performances of Denis have certainly been a drag on Koln in recent times. Perhaps a time-out is needed for him to recover his form in front of goal.

It is certainly a shame to see his form drop after an incredible first season. But he is still a young player and could always re-find his form. A potential loan deal could benefit him and once again become a key player for you.

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A 4-0 victory against FC Krasnodar in the UEFA Europa League ensured Köln moved top of Group K. Surprisingly, a ninety-fifth minute equaliser from Quincy Promes was required for Sevilla to claim a point at home to Jagiellonia Białystok, which meant a point for Köln against Sevilla would guarantee their progression into the knockout stages.

This triumph was followed by another upon Effzeh's return to the Bundesliga - with a 1-0 victory at the Stadion Frankfurt secured. Francisco Trincão's wonderfully struck free-kick provided the difference between the two sides.

FC Schalke 04 held Max Kofler's side to a 0-0 draw at the RheinEnergieStadion, which resulted in Köln losing further ground on the top six in their quest to regain European football next season. Köln have yet to record back-to-back victories in the Bundesliga this season, in a worrying statistic which highlights their inconsistency this term.

Salih Özcan's eighty-ninth minute screamer booked his sides place in the last thirty-two of the UEFA Europa League, with Köln earning a 3-3 draw against group favourites Sevilla - who need to beat FC Krasnodar in their final game of the group to seal their own progression into the knockout phases of the competition. Sevilla took the lead on three separate occasions, but were unable to hold their nerve in a ding-dong battle between the two.

Florian Grillitsch's strike seven minutes from time ensured TSG 1899 Hoffenheim recorded a vital victory in their bid to survive in the Bundesliga. A 1-0 victory meant they climbed out of the bottom two, up into sixteenth on nine points, a point clear of SV Werder Bremen in seventeenth, as we head into December.




Bayern Munich now lead the way at the top of the Bundesliga, as they enjoyed another flawless month of results which allowed them to claim above both Bayer Leverkusen and 1. FSV Mainz 05, who fell a position each from last month. The top two have cemented a gap between themselves and the rest of the division, with second-placed Leverkusen five points clear of their nearest opposition in third.

Borussia Dortmund find themselves in fourth after some much-improved form allowed them to claim up the table. They are closely followed by arch-rivals FC Schalke 04 and sixth-placed RB Leipzig, with both sides locked out of the top four on goal-difference.

Eintracht Frankfurt endured a terrible run of form, which saw them lose all three of their games in November as they slip to seventh. They are followed by another out-of-form side, as Hamburger SV had failed to win in any of their last five games.

FC Augsburg continue to be rooted to the foot of the table, with no sign of their dismal defensive record improving any time soon. They have already conceded thirty-two goals this campaign, seven more than the second-poorest record in the division, which belongs to the side directly above them, SV Werder Bremen.

Following a 1-1 draw against Hamburger SV, Bremen took the decision to sack head-coach Roger Schmidt, who had led them back into Europe last season. The German, who has previously coached the likes of Bayer Leverkusen and Red Bull Salzburg, spent just over eighteen months with the club.

A 1-0 victory against Köln last time out ensured Thierry Henry would remain in the TSG 1899 Hoffenheim dugout for at least one more matchday, with his side drastically under-performing this season. Henry, who was appointed head-coach in the summer following a second-placed finish in the Danish Superliga with previous club Brøndby IF, has been informed results need to improve or he will be out of work very soon.

They currently sit three points adrift of both Hertha Berlin and FC Ingolstadt 04, who currently have twelve points each to their name after thirteen games.

With their fortunes in-need of being improved should they want to access European football next season, Köln begin the month against league leaders Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. Hertha Berlin follow before a dead-rubber clash against Jagiellonia Białystok brings an end to their group stage campaign in the UEFA Europa League.

A trip to SV Werder Bremen presents the perfect opportunity for Max Kofler's men to record three vital points, before the month is closed out with a home tie against Hamburger SV, with the winter-break following.

Replies

Jack: The board definitely need to facilitate for a new striker to be brought in, otherwise this decline could continue. The signing of Barbosa on loan last season was a morale-boosting signing, as he was quite a high-profile signing and his impact was noted on the pitch. Whilst it was easy to give recognition to other players, he certainly played his part; chipping in with some important goals at vital moments. Someone like that is needed, desperately, right now.

Justice: It's important to remember that while he was hugely impressive last season, Dragus is still a young player with a lot of potential to develop in to. He is far from the finished article and this was witnessed last season, in spite of his goal-tally. Unfortunately, his competition have been unable to assist us enough this season and therefore it's very important that the next signing is one that is bound to find the net. I would argue it's the most important of Max's tenure so far.

LFC: It is. With him being so young, he could be considered what I like to call a "confidence player," someone who relies on good form to allow them to flourish. Given he has gone so long without a goal, it won't be helping his case. Once he finds the net again, I think he'll regain some momentum. A loan move could be the ideal thing for him, right now.

More mixed fortunes, but you seem to have recovered your goal scoring touch in Europe. Hopefully you can get more goals in the league, although it'll be tough up against Bayern next. If you can get a good set of results next month to set you back on track, you'll be doing well again. And congratulations on European progression!

Certainly inconsistent performances, but at least you are scoring again. Sitting 10th on paper is poor but realistically you are just two wins off 5th so not all bad. Great to guarantee progression in Europe with a game to spare.

Great job for Koln to guarantee Europa League Knockout football, which now gives you in with a snapshot of possibly winning it, unlikely with the quality in the competition, but possible with the players Max possesses. Its good to see Koln scoring again, and you are still 10th, and only a couple of wins off the European places. A tough start to the season, but alot of Positives to take. And very interesting to see Thierry Henry managing in the Bundesliga! Would be cool to see him manage Arsenal!

Really looked like you were getting back on the horse after that Frankfurt win but the Schalke and Hoffenheim results really deflated any confidence from the previous two games. That last minute equaliser against Seville was decisive for sure!