1. FC Cologne
Bayer Leverkusen

1. FC Köln vs Bayer Leverkusen Bundesliga Preview: Team News and Predicted Lineups

By
Moritz Baer
March 3, 2024
17:35
Xabi Alonso. Photo: Bayer Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso. Photo: Bayer Leverkusen

1. FC Köln play Xabi Alonso's formidable Bayer Leverkusen side on Sunday with the hope of being the first team to beat their local rivals this season.

Match Overview

1. FC Köln

Köln made a good account of themselves last time out in the Bundesliga. A one-one draw with VfB Stuttgart meant they moved one point closer to safety at the end of the season.

However, a late Faride Alidou chance meant they could have gotten all three points last weekend. With only sixteen goals this campaign in the league, Köln are comfortably the lowest scoring side in the Bundesliga.

Recent history is on the side of the Billy Goats, however, as they won their reverse clash with "Die Werkself" last season 2-1 in May.

Striker Davie Selke was deemed not fit enough to start by Timo Schultz this week, however the former St. Pauli manager did not rule out the German striker coming off the bench.

Ahead of the derby clash, Köln's coach Timo Schultz said: "We'll have to be compact and awkward. We can and will do that. We firmly believe we can get three points."

Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen are on an incredible and historic run of thirty-three games without defeat in all competitions.

Despite this, there is a different feeling around derbies and Xabi Alonso did not underestimate this when he said: "You feel it in the warm-up and with the songs the fans sing. It's a special atmosphere with a derby. We need the utmost concentration, need to play with heart but also our heads."

Former Köln youth prospect Florian Wirtz, who assisted against the side from Müngersdorf in October will hope to go one better and score against his former side.

Köln, however, will not only be worried by their goals tally this season but also Bayer Leverkusen's strong defence as the Werkself have only conceded sixteen in the Bundesliga this season.

Lastly, Bayer Leverkusen will be encouraged by their last result against Köln in which they won 3-0 in a dominant display in the Bundesliga.

Team News

1. FC Köln

Köln are without Mark Uth who is still injured following months on the sidelines. Luca Waldschmidt is also still out for Köln and will probably only return after the international break. Damion Downs and Davie Selke are both doubts ahead of Sunday's tie.

Bayer Leverkusen

Only Victor Boniface and Arthur are missing for Bayer 04, with Boniface reportedly on-track for returning in April.

Predicted Lineups

1. FC Köln:

Schwäbe; Carstensen, Hübers, Chabot, Finkgräfe; Martel, Huseinbašić; Ljubicic, Kainz (c), Maina; Thielmann

Bayer Leverkusen:

Hrádecký (c); Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Wirtz - Adli

Match Result

March 3, 2024
2:30 pm
1. FC Cologne
0
:
2
Bayer Leverkusen
1. FC Cologne
Bayer Leverkusen
1. FC Cologne
Max Finkgräfe. Photo: Vitalii Vitleo

1. FC Köln's Max Finkgräfe nominated for Golden Boy Award

Ahead of the new 2024-25 2. Bundesliga season, 1. FC Köln's left-back Max Finkgräfe has been nominated for the 2024 Golden Boy Award.
Eric Martel. Photo: Vitalii Vitleo

2. Bundesliga Promotion Candidates? Eric Martel and Jan Thielmann Stay at 1. FC Köln

Both Eric Martel and Jan Thielmann have proven their loyalty to 1. FC Köln and will stay to attempt to help the club to get back into the Bundesliga next season.
Benno Schmitz. Photo: Vitalii Vitleo / Shutterstock

Longest-Serving Player Gone: Benno Schmitz & Faride Alidou to leave Köln

Benno Schmitz will leave 1. FC Köln this summer after his contract expires, as he rejected multiple contract offers according to reports. Loanee Alidou will follow suit.
1. FC Köln flag.

1. FC Köln closing in on contract extension for under-17 world champion

1. FC Köln's under-19 player and under-17 world cup winner Fayssal Harchaoui is close to agreeing a long-term contract extension with the club (Kölnischer Rundschau).
Timo Schultz. Photo: 1. FC Köln

1. FC Köln Part Ways with Timo Schultz

1. FC Köln are going into the 2024-25 2. Bundesliga season without head coach Timo Schultz and his assistants Kevin McKenna and André Pawlak.
Florian Kainz. Photo: Vitalii Vitleo/ Shutterstock

Florian Kainz on Köln situation: "I need to wait and see what type of squad we have"

1. FC Köln's captain Florian Kainz recently spoke to the German news organisation "Express" and spoke about his future at the club.