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The first away day of the new season has arrived. On Saturday, 1. FC Köln make the trip to SV Elversberg. It is the first competitive meeting between the two sides.
SV Elversberg: After an entertaining start to the season against 1. FC Magdeburg, Elversberg welcome 1. FC Köln to the Saarland. Saturday’s hosts had Nicolas Kristof to thank for securing a point in Magdeburg and will be hoping to build off that clean sheet against FC this weekend.
1. FC Köln: FC were beaten 2:1 by Hamburger SV in the opening game of the 2. Bundesliga season. Despite enjoying the majority of the chances and possession, a brace from Ransford Königsdörffer was enough to give the visitors all three points. Linton Maina’s late goal wasn’t enough to spark a turnaround in the final 10 minutes.
The coaches have their say
Horst Steffen: “We are excited to be able to welcome Köln to our ground on Saturday, we’re looking forward to the atmosphere and a sold-out stadium. But the task against Köln is obviously a huge challenge. We have already mastered such challenges where no-one thought we could take something from the game. That’s how we want to take on this weekend.”
Gerhard Struber: “We are tasked with putting in a performance that pushes the possibilities of earning three points into the immeasurable. We have to be in control at all times, be engaged and invest everything. Then it won’t be easy for the opponent. We want to take the next step. We want to score goals quickly and that means showing that hunger and desire from the very start.”
Fitness update
SV Elversberg: Horst Steffen is without Frederik Jäkel, who continues his recovery and rehab from a knee injury. Patryk Dragon is also absent due to a knee issue. Otherwise, the Elversberg coach mentioned during the press conference that a few players were carrying knocks from the training week.
1. FC Köln: Mark Uth is back in the squad after featuring for the under-21s last weekend. There are no other injury updates surrounding the long-term injuries within the FC squad.