Cologne in crisis

Markus Rosenberg in a challenge against Henrique Sereno in the first match-up this season.
1. FC Köln
Saturday, 07.04.2012 / 02:14

After three consecutive defeats, Cologne have dropped to 16th on the Bundesliga table and are in danger of relegation going into their home contest against Werder Bremen on Saturday at 3:30 p.m....

After three consecutive defeats, Cologne have dropped to 16th on the Bundesliga table and are in danger of relegation going into their home contest against Werder Bremen on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in RheinEnergie Stadium.

Cologne have looked bad in their last three losses - a 4-1 beating in Hannover, a 6-1 thrashing at home by Borussia Dortmund and a 2-1 away loss against promoted side Augsburg. Cologne coach Stale Solbakken took action by kicking Slovenian international Milivoje Novakovic, Portuguese Petit and defender Kevin Pezzoni off the game roster for the Bremen match. "I don't think it's ever really calm in Cologne. Now it's even less calm," said Werder head coach Thomas Schaaf.

Striker Milivoje Novakovic is one of three players dropped from the game roster for Cologne.

"We aren't fighting, we don't have any goal chances, we aren't playing football," said Cologne's best player Lukas Podolski. And goalkeeper Michael Rensing added: "I don't know what still must happen. The coaches prepare us very well but the team does not apply it on the pitch. The coaches are really doing everything they can, are fully committed and are really thinking about things. Maybe we need to think more about it. Everything can be explained, but not this. If things aren't going well then at least you can keep your order, show your readiness, push your teammates and rush back to help. But we aren't even doing that."

Schaaf: "Cologne will not give up"

Cologne went through a two-day training camp to prepare for the game against the Green-Whites. "That way they came together alone and tried to change a couple of things," said Schaaf. "You can change small things before every game. But it's more important for me that we are mentally strong so that we don't go through collapses when we concede goals," said Solbakken. Cologne's situation has become quite precarious. But Schaaf warned his team. "We must realise that we cannot rely on the opposing team just giving up," said the coach.

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