Fortuna Cologne under pressure: only two goals in six games - what now?

Fortuna Cologne under pressure: only two goals in six games - what now?

In today's game in the southern Stadium, SC Fortuna Cologne had to take another disappointment. The team of coach Matthias Mink lost 0-2 against the U23 of Düsseldorf. In pleasant weather conditions of 20 degrees, light wind and sunshine, 2,349 spectators came to follow the game.

The match started unhappily for the Fortuna. In the first half, the team acted weakly and made some decisive mistakes on the defensive. Deniz Bindemann Düsseldorf put the lead in the 40th minute. Despite an increased pressure in the second half, when Henri Matter and Danny Breitfelder met the crossbar twice, the Fortuna could not turn the game. Only in the 90+6. For minute the Düsseldorf Arabaci provided the final knockout. and the 0: 2 final.

squad planning for the next season

The defeat not only throws a shadow on the current performance, but also on the planning for the coming season. Fortuna Cologne is working hard on the squad planning for the regional league. Trainer and sports director Matthias Mink said positively about the current status. "We have more players under contract compared to the previous season," said Mink. At the moment, 14 players are already tied for the next season.

young goalkeeper Lennart Winkler and offensive all -rounder Gianluis di Fine have extended their contracts. Talks with other players such as Arnold Budimbu, Justin Steinkötter and Richard Sukuta-Pasu are already underway. Mink is confident of being able to announce external transfers in the coming one to two weeks.

injury problem and adjustments in the team

Despite the good planning, the team faces challenges. Several players are missing due to injury, including Younes Derbali and Salim Hadouchi. Achunike Ekene, Julius Biada and other actors such as Hendrik Mittelstädt and Max Fischer are also not available. In central defense, Robin Afamefuna had to act next to Finn, while Max Wiese moved into the starting line -up. Nicolas Westerhoff and Bekir Gedictas were sitting on the bench.

The next challenge will be preparation for the 2024/25 season, which is scheduled to begin on the last weekend in July. The first day of training is planned for June 20 in the southern Stadium, with performance diagnostics. Regular preparation training will follow from June 21. The test game opponents will be announced in the next few days, while Mink is planning a vacation in the week before the preparation starts.

For the Fortuna, it remains to be seen whether the squad planning and the necessary transfers can provide a positive turn in order to achieve the sporting goals in the new season.

Further information on the current number of spectators in the Regionalliga West can be found at kicker.de