Tactics
Köln coach Steffen Baumgart set his team up in a 4-1-3-2 system on Matchday 1, but against stronger opponents in Leipzig last weekend, Florian Dietz operated as the lone striker with Eric Martel brought in to beef up the defensive midfield. Alongside Dietz, academy graduate Jan Thielmann, who can play on both the right wing and in the centre of attack, has come in to compensate for the departure of Anthony Modeste.
One to watch: Florian Dietz
The 24-year-old was promoted to Köln’s first-team squad from the U21s before the start of this season and now has the task of helping to fill the void in attack left by Modeste’s move to Borussia Dortmund.
- He made his second start and scored his first goal for the first team in the draw at Leipzig.
- He was also on the scoresheet in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualification play-off against Fehérvár, putting the Billy Goats 1-0 up.
- Dietz had more shots on goal (nine) than any other player in the Bundesliga across the opening two matchdays.
- He is a big, physical player in a similar mould to Modeste and is someone whom Köln hope to be able to count on in the future. Coach Baumgart is full of praise, describing him as “a dangerous player, particularly in the box. He works very well up front.”
Statistics and head-to-head
The two teams are draw specialists, with three of the last six Bundesliga meetings between the two sides finishing 1-1, while Köln have also won two and Eintracht one.
Köln boss Baumgart has collected more points against SGE than against any other team in Germany’s top flight, with seven in four matches. However, the 50-year-old is yet to taste victory in Frankfurt, with a draw and a defeat in his two visits.
Eintracht have won five of their last seven home games against the cathedral city club, including a 4-2 victory in February 2018 and a 6-2 triumph in September 2015.
Key battle: Ansgar Knauff vs. Florian Kainz
Along with Dietz, another Florian has starred for Köln at the start of the season: winger Florian Kainz. No player set up more attempts on goal over the first two Bundesliga matchdays than the 29-year-old, with eight.
Ansgar Knauff has already proven at Frankfurt that he is one of the best wide men in the league, with his pace and creativity a real asset on the right flank for Eintracht. UEFA named the 20-year-old as the 2021/22 Europa League Young Player of the Season, while Italian sports magazine Tuttosport included him on the shortlist for the renowned Golden Boy award for Europe’s best player under the age of 21.
