1. FC Köln starts with a test game against Bergisch Gladbach!

<Ol> <li> FC Köln starts with a test game against Bergisch Gladbach! </li> </l>

Bergisch Gladbach, Deutschland - The anticipation at 1. FC Köln is growing, because the team recently announced the appointments for its upcoming training sessions and test games. On July 12, the Cologne team competed against the Bergisch Gladbach team in the Belkaw Arena. This encounter is a repetition of the game from September 2023, in which FC triumphed with a clear 6: 0. Lutz Urbach, the President of Bergisch Gladbach, was optimistic about the match and sees it as an opportunity to prove itself against the traditional club. However, the exact tickets for the test game are not yet available, so that the fans have to wait excitedly for more information.

After a disappointing last season, which culminated by his successor Timo Schultz in the release of Steffen Baumgart and a failed attempt to rescue, Gerhard Struber is now entering the stage as the new head coach. Despite an existing transfer lock, which prohibits new obligations apart from returnees such as Jonas Urbig, the association hopes for successful preparation. An upswing could take place through the new additions such as Isak Johanneson and Ragnar Ache, while the sporting management is actively looking for further reinforcements.

preparation plan and training camp

The summer break ends for 1. FC Köln on June 21, followed by performance diagnostics and medical examinations before the first training session takes place on June 24th. The trainers and players will then be traveled to the training camp in Bad Waltersdorf, Austria, traveling from July 19 to 26. Managing Director Christian Keller describes the conditions in the Spa Resort Styria as the ideal for intensive preparation.

• First test: July 12 against Bergisch Gladbach
• More test games:
• 29. June against VfL Rheingold in Cologne-Poll
• 5. July against Sportfreunde Siegen in Siegen
• 10. July against Union Nettetal in Nettetal
• 13. July against Kickers Offenbach (place still open)
• 19. July against VV St. Truiden in Euskirchen
• 20. July against Viktoria Cologne in Cologne
• 24. July against Swansea City in Bad Waltersdorf
• 28. July Further test opponents still open

The DFB Cup starts for 1. FC Köln between August 15 and 18, followed by the Bundesliga, which begins a week later. These important dates are characterized by compensation and hope for better times. The team is in the squad planning and strives to leave the disappointment of last season behind. The upcoming summer festival on September 7th could be a welcome opportunity to present yourself as a team and with the fans.

For the players under the new leadership of Gerhard Struber, it will be exciting to see whether they can bring the newly created spirit and the motivation that are to be lived during the preparation.