El Mala may become Köln’s trump card – Trumpf So before the Derby
On a damp Saturday at the Viktoria Köln training ground, 1. FC Köln endured a chaotic friendly that finished 2‑2, a result the club described as an absolute disaster. The match, captured by photographer Ralf Ibing, offered little solace as both Thijs Dallinga and Ragnar Ache suffered injuries that will keep the pair out for an extended period. With the Bundesliga derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach scheduled for Sunday, coach René Wagner, now 38, finds himself without a single trained striker.
Disaster test match and injury blow
The friendly against local rivals Viktoria Köln was anything but a showcase; even the 2‑2 scoreline failed to impress the Geißböcke, who “glänzten” far from their best. Both injured forwards – Thijs Dallinga and Ragnar Ache – are described as “Beide Stürmer” who will be absent for a long spell, deepening the club’s offensive woes.
These setbacks arrive just days before the high‑stakes derby, leaving the Effzeh to scramble for solutions. The loss of Dallinga and Ache, key members of the attacking line‑up, forces Wagner to rethink his options ahead of the crucial clash.
Wagner’s striker options ahead of Derby
René Wagner’s immediate choice is Marius Bülter, a 33‑year‑old offensive all‑rounder who contributed nine scorer points last season, six of which came in the first half of the campaign. Despite his versatility, Bülter alone is not deemed lethal enough to lead the line.
A more daring alternative could see Bülter paired with young forward Said El Mala. El Mala, who struggled in a central role last season, still managed two goals – one against Union Berlin in a 2‑2 draw and another in a 1‑5 loss to Munich. He also found the net in the opening friendly versus TSG Hoffenheim (3‑2) and has yet to make a mark in his first two appearances for the German national team.
Should Wagner opt for the double‑striker set‑up, the flanks remain well‑stocked with Linton Maina, Mikey Moore, Jan Thielmann and Reigan Heskey, providing ample coverage for the wide positions.
The decision on whether to rely on Bülter alone, to gamble on a Bülter‑El Mala partnership, or to adjust the system entirely will shape Köln’s chances against Borussia Mönchengladbach, a match that could define their season.