1. FC Cologne: 1-1 against Zurich: Skhiri comeback in Baumgart draw – Bundesliga
Test match draw at the end of the Cologne training camp in Donaueschingen. FC parted ways 1-1 with Swiss first division team Grashopper Club Zürich on Saturday.
Pleasing from FC point of view: Contrary to the original plan, midfield clearer Ellyes Skhiri (27) was finally on the six after knee problems and completed his first friendly in preparation without any problems.
The FC at the start still with problems. The legs seemed heavy after six days of intense training camp. Keeper Marvin Schwäbe got past the boys from an early deficit before Dominik Schmid put the Grashoppers ahead after all (0:1/32.).
Only after the break and a total of five changes did the boys of trainer Steffen Baumgart (50) become stronger offensively. Cologne’s U19 striker Maxi Schmid scored again to equalize after a cross from Benno Schmitz (1:1/56). Shortly before the end he even had the 2:1 on the foot (89th).
Baumgart also used the game to try out a lot and improvise – Bayern loanee Arrey Mbi started in the Hector position at the back left, midfield clearer Eric Martel as a central defender – Cologne’s right-back Kingsley Ehizibue was also used centrally in defence .
Flexibility, which is in demand at FC in the Euro season! Nevertheless, the coach says: “These should not be options for the future. Basically, I want to let the guys get to their actual positions.”
Conclusion Baumgart: “You can see what level of preparation our opponents were at now. However, we didn’t do so well in the first half either. Some processes are not yet working the way we would like them to. But basically we are satisfied.”
The 1:1 was Cologne’s third preparatory test after a 12:1 against state division club Mondorf and the 4:0 most recently against Austria’s first division club Lustenau.