In Cologne, they know all too well what relegation looks like, and on Saturday, it suddenly felt all too familiar. Angry fans, fed up with the situation, climbed over the fences, while the players timidly faced the barrage of criticism. 1. FC Cologne finds themselves on the brink of the abyss once again, following a 0-2 loss to bottom-placed Darmstadt 98 – a result that could mean their seventh drop to the 2nd division.
“Our performance on the pitch wasn’t at Bundesliga level,” admitted Cologne’s managing director Christian Keller, whose dismissal is being demanded by many fans. And he hit the nail on the head: “With all due respect: You have to beat this opponent at home if you have Bundesliga aspirations.”
Because Darmstadt hadn’t won a game since October – a run of 22 matches. When, if not in this game, should Cologne have picked up points? But it wasn’t to be, as Cologne’s players were overcome by fear, as defender Timo Hübers lamented. With each passing minute, the insecurity grew, and simple actions failed.
This repeated failure in supposedly easier games makes a last-minute rescue seem like an elusive dream. While there are still four games left to play, and none of the top teams await Cologne, the lesson of the season is clear: Cologne disappoints particularly in supposedly easier encounters.
Coach Timo Schultz admitted that his team never managed to dominate in these games, while coming close to success against top teams like VfB Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen, and Bayern Munich. Fear of losing dominated in the truly decisive encounters, analyzed managing director Keller.
The disappointment and anger of the fans were also directed at the managing director, who, however, showed understanding: “In the end, I bear the main responsibility, so it’s understandable if people want to vent their frustration,” said Keller.
The prospect of relegation raises questions, especially about the future of the managing director. Keller is undoubtedly working under difficult conditions, and the real danger begins when the club drops to the 2nd division. The FC may not sign any new players this summer, and FIFA’s transfer ban remains in place until the next winter break.
The hope now rests on a “couldn’t care less” attitude within the team for the remaining games, although even veteran Mark Uth has concerns: “If you’re afraid of losing, it’ll be tough to win a game eventually.”