1. FC Cologne starts preparations with a friendly against Bergisch Gladbach!

<ol> <li>FC Cologne starts preparations with a friendly against Bergisch Gladbach!</li> </ol>

The anticipation is growing at 1. FC Köln, as the team recently announced the dates for its upcoming training sessions and test matches. On July 12th, the Cologne team will play against the Bergisch Gladbach team in the BELKAW Arena. This encounter is a repeat 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 himself against the traditional club. However, the exact tickets for the test match are not yet available, so fans will have to wait eagerly for more information.

After a disappointing last season, which culminated in the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart and a failed rescue attempt by his successor Timo Schultz, Gerhard Struber now takes the stage as the new head coach. Despite an existing transfer ban that prohibits new signings other than loan returnees like Jonas Urbig, the club is hoping for successful preparation. An upswing could come from new additions such as Isak Johannesson and Ragnar Ache, while the sporting management is actively looking for further reinforcements.

Preparation plan and training camp

The summer break for 1. FC Köln ends on June 21st, followed by performance diagnostics and medical examinations before the first training session takes place on June 24th. The coaches and players will then travel to the training camp in Bad Waltersdorf, Austria, which is scheduled for July 19-26. Managing director Christian Keller describes the conditions at the Spa Resort Styria as ideal for intensive preparation.

• Erster Test: 12. Juli gegen Bergisch Gladbach
• Weitere Testspiele:
• 29. Juni gegen VfL Rheingold in Köln-Poll
• 5. Juli gegen Sportfreunde Siegen in Siegen
• 10. Juli gegen Union Nettetal in Nettetal
• 13. Juli gegen Kickers Offenbach (Ort noch offen)
• 19. Juli gegen VV St. Truiden in Euskirchen
• 20. Juli gegen Viktoria Köln in Köln
• 24. Juli gegen Swansea City in Bad Waltersdorf
• 28. Juli weiterer Testgegner noch offen

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

It will be exciting for the players under the new leadership of Gerhard Struber to see whether they can bring the newly created spirit and motivation that should be lived out during preparation onto the pitch.