FC KÖLN NEWS

Kingsley Schindler - Sees consistent playing time Schindler made 14 appearances (three starts) in the first half of the Bundesliga.

Impact Schindler is on pace to blow past his previous career-best in appearances a tally set at just 18. Schindler could also have the chance to set a new career-best for minutes and starts, though he has yet to earn a goal contribution, after assisting twice in each of his previous two seasons.

NOVEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Luca Kilian - Major role continues Kilian scored once during 13 starts in the first half of the Bundesliga.

Impact Kilian missed two matches with minor injuries, but outside of those matches, and the matches where picked up the injury, he's played every single match. Kilian broke out with Koln in the 2021/22 campaign, and Kilian has now established himself as a nailed-on starter in central defense.

NOVEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Eric Martel - Starting role earned Martel started the final six matches before the World Cup break.

Impact Martel made three starts in the opening six matches before returning to the bench. The final six matches have all been starts for Martel, who has seemingly started to realize his potential and break into the starting XI consistently.

NOVEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ondrej Duda - Struggling for end product Duda has failed to get on the scoresheet during 13 appearances (nine starts) in the first half of the Bundesliga.

Impact Duda has gone through a massive regression in recent seasons, scoring seven times and adding four assists during his first season with Koln. The midfielder then struggled to just two goals and no assists in the 2021/22 campaign, and has now failed to get on the scoresheet at all during the first half of the 2022/23 Bundesliga. Duda has also seen a reduction in his playing time to go along with the poor form. Duda will be looking for a return to form after the international break, though he is now more than to years separated from consistent fantasy production.

NOVEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Marvin Schwabe - Makes six saves against Hertha Schwabe made six saves and three clearances while allowing two goals during Saturday's 2-0 loss against Hertha Berlin.

Impact Schwabe was beaten once each half and couldn't do much to prevent either goal as both came off unmarked, close-range finishes. On the other hand, he made several saves that avoided an even bigger loss for his side. Overall, the goalkeeper has been mostly struggling this campaign and the 19 goals allowed and just 13 saves over the last seven starts aren't exactly encouraging.

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jonas Hector - Nice defensive stats versus Hertha Hector sent in three inaccurate crosses, made three tackles (two won), six clearances, two interceptions and one block and drew four fouls during Saturday's 2-0 loss against Hertha...

Impact Hector didn't deliver offensively but at least remained a very solid defensive contributor, putting up numbers in any category on that end and not allowing opposition to generate offense from his flank. Despite the lack of appearances on the scoresheet, the left-back remains a great two-way asset and is currently on pace to have the best statistical season of his career.

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Kainz - Active offensively against Hertha Kainz had three shots (one on target), created one chance, sent in 12 crosses (one accurate), made three tackles (one won) and drew three fouls during Saturday's 2-0 loss against H...

Impact Kainz was Koln's lone positive on the attacking end, creating several plays from the left flank but didn't find a partner to convert them into goals. With five goals and four assists over 14 appearances and currently leading all Bundesliga players in crosses, the winger will be one of his club's biggest hopes for the second half of the season.

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Benno Erik Schmitz - Forced off with injury Schmitz was forced off in the second half of Saturday's match with Hertha Berlin due to an injury.

Impact Schmitz left in the 50th minute, being replaced by Kingsley Schindler. The defender was a surprise pick in the starting XI and may have aggravated an ankle injury that was expected to keep him out of Saturday's match.

NOVEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Timo Hubers - Starting against Hertha Hubers is fit and in the starting Xi for Saturday's match against Hertha Berlin.

Impact Hubers returns after dealing with a thigh injury that has kept him out of Koln's previous two matches. The defender has started ten of his 11 league appearances, making a team-high 60 clearances.

NOVEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Benno Erik Schmitz - Surprise starter Schmitz is fit and in the starting XI for Saturday's match against Hertha Berlin.

Impact Schmitz is surprisingly starting straightaway after being ruled out by manager Steffen Baumgart on Friday. The fullback scored his first goal of the season in mid week, as he's provided 46 crosses and helped Koln keep one clean sheet during his time on the pitch.

NOVEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Timo Hubers - Potential for return Hubers (thigh) trained fully Friday and could be an option for the bench during Saturday's trip to Hertha, according to manager Steffen Baumgart.

Impact Hubers returned to full team training and is a potential option for Saturday's trip to Hertha, though likely only on the bench. The defender missed the previous two Bundesliga matches with a muscle bruise, but seems to have a chance to return in some capacity before the Winter break, where he will have more than enough time to recover fully.

NOVEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Benno Erik Schmitz - Ruled out Schmitz (ankle) is out for Saturday's trip to Hertha Berlin, according to manager Steffen Baumgart.

Impact Schmitz is set to miss the final match before the Winter break due to an ankle issue. Kingsley Schindler was named as the replacement at right-back, a role he's played well in the past. Schindler offers more going forward but likely won't be as defensively stout as Schmitz, who now has three months to fully recover from the ankle issue.

NOVEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Marvin Schwabe - Concedes twice in second half Schwabe allowed two goals while making a save during Wednesday's 2-1 loss to Leverkusen.

Impact Schwabe allowed two second half goals including the game winner in the 71st minute as Koln dropped all three points. The keeper has now allowed 27 goals in 14 league starts while his lone save upped his season total to 30.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Benno Erik Schmitz - Scores, leaves injured Schmitz scored a goal, but also left with an ankle injury during Wednesday's 2-1 loss to Leverkusen.

Impact Schmitz found the back of the net in the 30th minute, opening the scoring in the match. The goal was the first of the season for the fullback, but he suffered an ankle injury in the 61st minute that could keep him out of Saturday's match at Hertha Berlin.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sargis Adamyan - Assists in rare start Adamyan had an assist with his lone chance created while creating five shots (four on goal) and crossing twice (one accurate) during Wednesday's 2-1 loss to Leverkusen.

Impact Adamyan set up Benno Schmitz in the 30th minute assisting the opening goal of the match. It was the first assist of the season in just his second start as 11 of Adamyan's 13 appearances have come from the bench.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jonas Hector - Starting Wednesday Hector (foot) will be in the starting XI against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.

Impact Hector returns following a two-game stint on the sidelines due to his foot problem. Prior to his absence, the left-back had featured in all 12 Bundesliga matches for the club in which he racked up 40 crosses (seven accurate), seven corners and one assist.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jonas Hector - Expected to return Hector (foot) is expected to return for Wednesday's clash with Leverkusen, manager Steffen Baumgart told reporters.

Impact Hector is expected to return Wednesday, though it's unclear if he will be in the starting XI, or on the bench. If Hector isn't fit enough to start it would be Kristian Pedersen who makes the return to the starting XI. Hector has missed two matches with the foot issue.

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Timo Hubers - Can't play Wednesday Hubers will miss Wednesday's match against Bayer Leverkusen due to a dead leg, according to manager Steffen Baumgart.

Impact Hubers first missed Sunday's loss to Freiburg and will be absent for at least one more game. This gives him one more chance to return before the World Cup in Saturday's match at Hertha Berlin, and Julian Chabot or Nikola Soldo have been named as potential replacements for Hubers in Wednesday's lineup.

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Marvin Schwabe - Three saves Sunday Schwabe made three saves and one clearance in Sunday's 2-0 loss against SC Freiburg.

Impact Schwabe faced five shots and stopped three of them, but was offered nothing by the team in front of him. Injuries to the defense have cost Schwabe, who has just a single clean sheet in 13 starts. Despite the rough run of form it appears Schwabe still has a firm grasp on the starting job ahead of veteran TImo Horn.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kristian Pedersen - Three crosses Pedersen had three crosses (zero accurate) and zero chances created in Sunday's 2-0 defeat to SC Freiburg.

Impact Pedersen sent in three crosses while also adding volume behind the ball during Sunday's loss. The defender has moved into the starting XI with injuries to Jonas Hector and Timo Hubers. With Hector already withdrawing from the World Cup squad it's possible that Pedersen starts the final two matches before the Winter break.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Kainz - Creates two chances Kainz had one shot (one on goal), three crosses (one accurate), and two corners in Sunday's 2-0 defeat to SC Freiburg.

Impact Kainz created a pair of chances Sunday, but was held off the score sheet. The winger has been in some of the best form of his career to open the 2022/23 campaign, with nine goal contributions putting him just two off his previous career-high. Kainz has a realistic chance to improve on that career-high before he even gets to the Winter break.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Linton Maina - Busy in loss Maina had two shots (one on goal), three crosses (one accurate), and one chance created in Sunday's 2-0 defeat versus SC Freiburg.

Impact Maina had plenty to do as he made yet another start, this time on the right wing. The attacker just couldn't get much done even in a starting role, though he did create a chance for the fourth match in a row. Maina has been a strong addition to the starting XI over the past six matches, where he has started all of them. With Mark Uth and Florian Dietz struggling with injury it's likely that Maina remains a nailed-on piece of the starting XI.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nikola Soldo - Starts in loss Soldo made one interception and completed five clearances during Sunday's 2-0 loss to Freiburg.

Impact Soldo has started in two straight matches, helping Luca Killian and Timo Hubers get rest as needed to compete in the league and the UECL. With three starts made in Soldo's four appearances, his presence is a little to reliant on problems for others to make space on the back line.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Timo Hubers - Hopes to play Wednesday Hubers missed Sunday's 2-0 loss to Freiburg due to a "bruise" but there's hope he'll be available Wednesday against Bayer Leverkusen, manager Steffen Baumgart announced postgame.

Impact Hubers had started eight straight games before missing Sunday due to an injury picked up in Thursday's UECL match against Nice. If he can't start by Wednesday, Nikola Soldo is in line for another game.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jonas Hector - Returns to training Hector (foot) participated in Monday's training session ahead of Wednesday's match against Bayer Leverkusen.

Impact Hector has missed each of the last two matches and while he doesn't have any immediate guarantees to play, he's come back with two games remaining before the World Cup break. Pending his status, either he or Kristian Pedersen will start at left-back in Wednesday's game.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE