Baumgart smooths over incident, Modeste rallies troops on social media
In his post-match presser, 1. FC Köln head-coach Steffen Baumgart toned down some of the tension resulting from his side's physical 1-1 draw with Mainz.
He also claimed that the hip injury that forced Anthony Modeste off in Sunday's 1-1 draw with FSV Mainz 05 was not structural in nature.
The resurgent striker himself posted his own version of a "tis' but a scratch" update on his instagram feed.
Stefan Bell's controversial foul on Anthony Modeste in the 42nd minute of Sunday's 1-1 draw may not have led to a straight red card as some thought it should have, but it will lead to the Mainz defender missing his club's next league match. Bell incurred his fifth caution of the season and thus must sit the next round out.
He also claimed that the hip injury that forced Anthony Modeste off in Sunday's 1-1 draw with FSV Mainz 05 was not structural in nature.
The resurgent striker himself posted his own version of a "tis' but a scratch" update on his instagram feed.
The controversial take-down ultimately led to Modeste being subbed off before the first half could be concluded. It also reportedly contributed to a sideline confrontation later in the second half, with Köln assistant coach Kevin McKenna confronting Bo Svensson about his team's play.
Effzeh trainer Steffen Baumgart attempted to smooth things over in his post-match presser, stated that he believed Bell's foul was "not intentional". Baumgart even cast doubt on the foul denying Modeste a clear goal-scoring chance, saying "Anthony might have reached the ball, or might not have."
After Köln's gaffer soothed all the impartial with his toned down assessment of the controversy, talk turned to whether Modeste would be fit for next weekend's massive Rhineland Derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach; one of the most historically fiercely contested derbies in all of German football.
It obviously being early, Baumgart could only say that the initial prognosis was good. The head-coach called it a "non-structural severe hip contusion". In plain speak, "a bad bruise."
Modeste himself didn't want to cast any doubt on his availability for the derby, immediately posting on instagram "It goes on! Never give up! Next week, derby!"