FC Köln stars dream of European football
Following a good spell under head coach Markus Gisdol prior to the suspension of the Bundesliga, FC Köln have started dreaming of European football.
FC Köln had a rough start to the season, but have taken a leap away from the relegation zone since Markus Gisdol replaced Achim Beierlorzer as coach in November, winning eight of their last 11 Bundesliga games.
Heading into the final phase of the season, 'The Billy Goats' sit 10th, just five points behind the sixth place that would grant them access to the Europa League.
Speaking in an interview with Bild, Köln defender Sebastiaan Bornauw admits he can't help but target a European spot.
"We are very close to the European places and obviously want to do everything to grab one of them. That would certainly be a great end to the season for everyone – the city, the club and us," he said.
Bornauw's teammate Mark Uth, who is on loan from Schalke 04, believes the club's next two games against Mainz and Fortuna Düsseldorf could set the course for the rest of the season.
"We want to win both home games, because we're up against two direct relegation rivals. Once we've done that, we will be able to look up the table," Uth told Bild and added:
"We should wait until after the next two games. But in Köln, most people dream of European football very quickly. Let's see what it looks like after the first win.
"We are all happy that we can play football again and have worked well while being in lockdown. But I don't think that we are as fit as before, because that's simply not possible. We all need one, two or three games to get back to our old level."
Köln sit 10 points clear of 16th-placed Fortuna Düsseldorf and seven points ahead of Mainz, who are 15th in the table.