display

Augsburg (dpa) - Heiko Herrlich speaks of a "head thing".

The relegation battle of the Bundesliga is coming to a head - and that should be felt in the duel between FC Augsburg and 1. FC Köln on Friday evening (8.30 p.m. / DAZN).

It is the opening game of the 31st matchday.

For Augsburg coach Herrlich, the last four laps are primarily about "withstanding the tension in the nerves".

INITIAL SITUATION: The FCA is actually in a very good position with 33 points in twelfth place.

Many in the vicinity believed that they were “feeling safe”, said Herrlich.

In the last three games without a win, it was only enough to one point, and no goal was scored.

"To win games, you have to score goals," said the former striker Herrlich.

He is now planning a big step.

"We absolutely want to win so that Cologne can no longer catch up with us," said the FCA coach.

The lead could grow to ten points, but it could also shrink to four points.

display

NEW HOPE: After the surprising 2: 1 against the top team from RB Leipzig, Cologne's new coach Friedhelm Funkel said that his team had "worked their way back".

After his first win in the second game, the 67-year-old raved about the “passion on the pitch” as a possible FC rescuer.

The same performance has to be brought to the field again in Augsburg, demanded Funkel.

TRUMPF: A man is leading the way.

Ex-national player Jonas Hector scored twice against Leipzig.

It was his first Bundesliga double.

“I expect him to score two goals in every game now.

The bar is pretty high there, of course, ”joked Funkel.

The 30-year-old Hector is the lead wolf in the Cologne team for Funkel: "He is leading the way, he works for the team for over 90 minutes."

BALANCE SHEET: The numbers speak for Augsburg.

Of the 13 duels for Bundesliga points so far, Cologne only won the first one in October 2011. Since then, there have been six FCA wins and six draws.

display

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210422-99-316768 / 2

Bundesliga schedule

Bundesliga goalscorer list

display

FCA squad

FCA schedule

Bundesliga table

Cologne squad

Cologne coach Funkel for the game in Augsburg

Pk Great for the game