Cologne/Dortmund - Lukas Podolski is a straightforward type of guy. Not one to beat around the bush, the Germany striker has caused a real stir by criticising his club 1. FC Köln ahead of their important clash with high-flying Borussia Dortmund this coming weekend.
In fairness, the reaction of the Köln board has been rather mild. "None of us are happy with the way things have gone so far," said sporting director Michael Meier. "I hope that we can show a reaction on Friday. We've told the players to forget the first few games and shut out any negative thoughts."
Goalkeeper position still open
Coach Zvonimir Soldo was playing his cards close to his chest with regard to tactics, including his choice of goalkeeper. 21-year-old Miro Varvodic may get a chance in goal after first-choice shot-stopper Faryd Mondragon only returned from international duty on Thursday. That said, there are unlikely to be many changes from the side which lost to Freiburg last time out.
"We need need to calm things down and gel as a team, so I don't want to keep changing things," said Soldo. Fabrice Ehret could therefore make another start after performing well against Hoffenheim and in Munich. Meanwhile Adil Chihi is back in the squad after a long period on the sidelines due to injury.
Soldo was keen to emphasise his team's role as underdogs. "Dortmund were in great form before the international break. They're the favourites." The fact that his charges "always cope well under pressure" gives the Croatian coach confidence. "We're playing better at home than we are away at the moment and that gives me hope that we can achieve a result," said the 42-year-old tactician, who refused to be drawn on Podolski's comments.
Zorc: "We need to be sensible"
Borussia Dortmund have no such worries going into Friday night's match. Six Bundesliga victories in a row have shot them to second in the table, and if they can win at the RheinEnergieStadion, the Yellow-Blacks will set a new club record. Even so, the club's management are keen to play down the euphoria.
"What we've achieved so far is merely a basis to work from. Nothing more," said coach Jürgen Klopp. Sporting director Michael Zorc agreed: "Everyone's expecting a win, but if the performance or the winning margin isn't right, people will be disappointed. I can't be doing with that, we need to be sensible with our expectations."
Klopp added that Köln will be no walkover on home turf: "Köln are under pressure, but they've been playing some top-quality football. We're going to have our work cut out."
Back in training for BVB and ready to face the Billy Goats is Kevin Großkreutz, who was unable to link up with the Germany national squad for their EURO 2012 double header after suffering from flu.
Source: bundesliga.de
Live stream @ atdhe.net
Koeln
Kevin McKenna, Christopher Schorch, Sebastian Freis, and Manasseh Ishiaku have all been ruled out of Friday’s clash with various injuries. Additionally, Soldo is expected to make a change in his line-up, with youngster Miro Varvodic replacing Faryd Mondragon in goal.
Probable Starting XI: Varvodic – Brecko, Geromel, Mohamad, Ehret – Clemens, Lanig, Petit, Matuschyk, Jajalo – Podolski
Borussia Dortmund
Mario Goetze is expected to return to action on Friday, but will likely start on the bench. Dede has not been officially omitted from Klopp’s squad, although the defender is still far from fit enough to start at left-back. Patrick Owomoyela, Tamas Hajnal, Sebastian Kehl, Mohamed Zidan, and Florian Kringe have been excluded from the match squad.
Probable Starting XI: Weidenfeller – Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer – Bender, Sahin – Blaszczykowski, Kaawa, Grosskreutz – Barrios
What I'm afraid of is replacement of goalkeeper in home team
In fairness, the reaction of the Köln board has been rather mild. "None of us are happy with the way things have gone so far," said sporting director Michael Meier. "I hope that we can show a reaction on Friday. We've told the players to forget the first few games and shut out any negative thoughts."
Goalkeeper position still open
Coach Zvonimir Soldo was playing his cards close to his chest with regard to tactics, including his choice of goalkeeper. 21-year-old Miro Varvodic may get a chance in goal after first-choice shot-stopper Faryd Mondragon only returned from international duty on Thursday. That said, there are unlikely to be many changes from the side which lost to Freiburg last time out.
"We need need to calm things down and gel as a team, so I don't want to keep changing things," said Soldo. Fabrice Ehret could therefore make another start after performing well against Hoffenheim and in Munich. Meanwhile Adil Chihi is back in the squad after a long period on the sidelines due to injury.
Soldo was keen to emphasise his team's role as underdogs. "Dortmund were in great form before the international break. They're the favourites." The fact that his charges "always cope well under pressure" gives the Croatian coach confidence. "We're playing better at home than we are away at the moment and that gives me hope that we can achieve a result," said the 42-year-old tactician, who refused to be drawn on Podolski's comments.
Zorc: "We need to be sensible"
Borussia Dortmund have no such worries going into Friday night's match. Six Bundesliga victories in a row have shot them to second in the table, and if they can win at the RheinEnergieStadion, the Yellow-Blacks will set a new club record. Even so, the club's management are keen to play down the euphoria.
"What we've achieved so far is merely a basis to work from. Nothing more," said coach Jürgen Klopp. Sporting director Michael Zorc agreed: "Everyone's expecting a win, but if the performance or the winning margin isn't right, people will be disappointed. I can't be doing with that, we need to be sensible with our expectations."
Klopp added that Köln will be no walkover on home turf: "Köln are under pressure, but they've been playing some top-quality football. We're going to have our work cut out."
Back in training for BVB and ready to face the Billy Goats is Kevin Großkreutz, who was unable to link up with the Germany national squad for their EURO 2012 double header after suffering from flu.
Source: bundesliga.de
Live stream @ atdhe.net
Koeln
Kevin McKenna, Christopher Schorch, Sebastian Freis, and Manasseh Ishiaku have all been ruled out of Friday’s clash with various injuries. Additionally, Soldo is expected to make a change in his line-up, with youngster Miro Varvodic replacing Faryd Mondragon in goal.
Probable Starting XI: Varvodic – Brecko, Geromel, Mohamad, Ehret – Clemens, Lanig, Petit, Matuschyk, Jajalo – Podolski
Borussia Dortmund
Mario Goetze is expected to return to action on Friday, but will likely start on the bench. Dede has not been officially omitted from Klopp’s squad, although the defender is still far from fit enough to start at left-back. Patrick Owomoyela, Tamas Hajnal, Sebastian Kehl, Mohamed Zidan, and Florian Kringe have been excluded from the match squad.
Probable Starting XI: Weidenfeller – Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer – Bender, Sahin – Blaszczykowski, Kaawa, Grosskreutz – Barrios
What I'm afraid of is replacement of goalkeeper in home team
