Cologne vs. Hamburg: Probable teams, match stats & LIVE blog!
Austrian tactician Gerhard Struber was appointed to the Cologne hot-seat in June and his first competitive game in charge of the Billy-Goats is a monumental one against fellow-promotion hopefuls Hamburg, who have former Billy-Goat boss Steffen Baumgart at the helm.
>>>Click here for the Cologne vs Hamburg LIVE blog!
Indeed, in Cologne vs Hamburg (kick-off: 8.30pm CET), Bundesliga 2 fans could hardly have asked for a more spectacular curtain raiser to the new season. The Billy Goats couldn't safeguard their Bundesliga status last term despite Timo Schultz's best efforts after replacing the aforementioned Baumgart in the hot seat. Now, under new man Struber, the club can look forward to a new chapter. A progressive coach who has previously worked at RB Salzburg and New York Red Bulls, amongst others, Kuchl native Struber said his eagerness to get started at the RheinEnergieStadion on Friday is rising by the minute. “I’m feeling so much anticipation for this game it almost tickles," the 47-year-old said. "I think we'll experience a game with extremely high intensity. We have to stay alert. If you're playing against an opponent who are aiming at promotion, it's a good test to see straight away where you stand," he added. Although Max Finkgräfe and Florian Kainz are unnavailable for the hosts, Luca Waldschmidt and Rasmus Carstensen areready to go.
In the opposite camp on Friday will be former Cologne boss Baumgart, who spent a year and a half in North Rhine-Westphalia, overseeing an incredible first season in-charge when he took the Billy Goats to Europe. At HSV since February, Baumgart has the opportunity to rejuvenate another one of German football's most decorated institutions in his first full campaign in charge of Die Rothosen. "It's obviously an interesting game for Matchday 1, and I’m looking forward to it," the Rostock-born tactician said in the build-up to the Bundesliga 2 opener. "I had a great time in Cologne, however now my focus is only on HSV," he added. Last season's joint top-scorer in the second-tier, Robert Glatzel, is set to miss this one with Baumgart confirming the striker is still recovering from a tendon injury. Goalkeeper Matheo Raab is sidelined with illness and will also miss out, meaning Daniel Heuer Fernandes is set to start between the posts. Summer signing and former Cologne striker Davie Selke looks certain to start up front in in Glatzel's absence.
Watch: The best of Cologne in 2023/24
What's Your Reaction?
