Cologne's coach warns: Bayern are invincible, but we are fighting!

Cologne's coach warns: Bayern are invincible, but we are fighting!

A duel that makes the hearts of the people of Cologne beat faster: This evening 1. FC Köln will face FC Bayern Munich in the DFB Cup. In the match, which will be broadcast on ARD at 8:45 p.m., Cologne, led by coach Lukas Kwasniok, is aiming for a surprise win against the Bundesliga leaders, who are unbeaten in all competitions this season. But the last successful encounter against Bayern was a long time ago - on February 5, 2011. At that time, Cologne celebrated an impressive 3-2 win after a 0-2 deficit, with goals from Christian Clemens (34th minute) and Milivoje Novakovic (46th minute, double) decisively leading the team to stay in the league. These memories from the distant past are certainly vivid and motivating for the fans.

Kwasniok sums it up: “We are ready and want to keep the game open.” This shows that the people of Cologne are not willing to give up without a fight. Nevertheless, there is great respect for the opponent because Bayern not only have a sophisticated squad, but also the clear will to win the treble. However, when looking at previous cup duels, Cologne can look back on a historic success: in the quarter-finals of 1972, they achieved a remarkable 5-1 victory. However, in the six other encounters, Cologne were only able to emerge victorious once. The last bitter defeat in this competition will be remembered by many when Cologne lost 8-0 in Munich on February 4, 2003.

A tricky starting position for Cologne

The current form doesn't exactly speak for progress, especially since Cologne clearly lost 3-0 in the first leg against Bayern and was eliminated in the semi-final against Schalke. But where there is a will, there is also a way. Cologne's coach has a good knack for motivation and does everything he can to get his team to perform well even in such challenging games. The independence from previous results could prove to be an advantage; The players could use the opportunity to regain their self-confidence in an emotionally charged game.

Tonight's cup match promises excitement and passion. Fans have already found their way to the stadium to cheer their team on and potentially create another chapter in the club's history. The memories of the spectacular victory in 2011 are unforgettable, and perhaps Cologne will be able to create a new shining moment. Either way, the people of Cologne show: The love of football and the hope for big games lives in the cathedral city!

For further information and details about the game, you can follow the coverage on the Kicker and Bild website: Kicker and Picture.