1. FC Köln: First chased away, now a dream of the euro: the rise of Mark Uth – Bundesliga
The pictures couldn’t be more different!
► Mark Uth (30) dances exuberantly after the derby triumph in Gladbach (3: 1) like a little boy in the jersey of his heart club in front of the Cologne fan block.
► April 20, 2021: Uth is mobbed at night by his own fans at his ex-club after the final relegation due to a 0: 1 in Bielefeld and chased around the Schalke stadium.
The Uth Rise!
After his return to Cologne last summer, the start is difficult for him. Not always set, plus several early substitutions. Not enough for its quality and demands.
The problem: Under trainer Hansdampf Steffen Baumgart (50), Uth first had to change!
Baumgart: “It’s not that easy when, as a striker, you’ve played less against the ball for most of the years of your career and have been able to concentrate on just scoring goals or winning.” And further: “I find his development in the last quarter, which he does very well in the tenth position, alternating with Duda. Mark is doing much better than before.”
Now Uth just has to score. He only scored three times this season.
Nevertheless: In the Euro final sprint, Uth is in top form!
He’s leading the way. Is a mood maker in the cabin, almost indispensable on the pitch – even without a goal.
In Gladbach and against Mainz (3: 2), the offensive man was involved in all three goals. Sometimes as a direct template provider, sometimes he initiated the move to the goal or kicked dangerous corners that led to goals.
And uth hat mom!
As one of the first players, he spoke openly of the euro dream, following the announcement in the derby frenzy: “We want to climb further up. If we show this intensity, we can reach Europe.”
What a crazy year for Uth after the Schalke trauma…