Timo Schultz, the coach of 1. FC Köln, faces an enormous challenge as his team finds itself in a precarious situation, needing to avoid relegation through points. Following the disappointing performance against Darmstadt, Schultz seeks solutions to get the team back on track. He emphasizes the need for a positive attitude and aggressive play to succeed in Mainz.
To achieve this, Schultz announces some drastic measures, including personnel changes in the squad. He stresses that after a performance like against Darmstadt, changes are inevitable and the team requires a new approach to yield better results. He doesn’t shy away from giving young players like Elias Bakatukanda and Meiko Wäschenbach a chance, while established players like Leart Pacarada and Dejan Ljubicic are sidelined.
Of particular interest is the possibility of moving Jan Thielmann from right-back back to the striker position. Schultz praises Thielmann’s versatility and is optimistic about his ability to perform in different positions. Captain Florian Kainz could lose his starting spot, while players like Benno Schmitz could get an opportunity to prove themselves.
The return of Justin Diehl after injury remains uncertain, but Schultz is hopeful that he will be ready to play later in the season. Despite the challenges, Schultz emphasizes the importance of seeing a team that plays with courage and determination, with an unwavering desire to win.
Regarding Sargis Adamyan and the possibility of deploying him as a striker, Schultz is open-minded. He praises Adam’s progress and doesn’t rule out starting him in the lineup to inject new energy into the team. Overall, Schultz places great importance on an offensive style of play and expects his players to show full commitment and determination to secure crucial points against Mainz.
Schultz also highlights the significance of Damion Downs, who has made significant strides recently. He is impressed by Downs’ development and doesn’t rule out putting him in the striker position to provide more firepower. Schultz is determined to do everything possible to keep the team from relegation, relying on the individual abilities of his players to achieve a positive result against Mainz.