Steffen Baumgart had a premonition.

“Before the game he said his fuse was short today.

And asked if someone could make it longer," revealed managing director Christian Keller after 1. FC Köln's 3-0 win in the second leg of the Conference League playoff at Fehérvár FC, laughing: "And it even lasted pretty much until the end. "

But in the 90th minute, Baumgart became a volcano: He tore his flat cap off his head, ran onto the field gesticulating wildly and picked up yellow and then yellow-red one after the other.

And after the final whistle he celebrated wriggling, dancing and cheering in front of the curve.

"I've never seen him like that before," said Florian Kainz, who captained FC in Hungary, with a smile.

And Marvin Schwäbe also found his coach's passion remarkable.

"Especially when you see him pacing the stands afterwards because he can't calm down.

That's cool," said the goalkeeper: "That's how we know him.

That's how he is.

And he passes this passion and fire on to us.”

Baumgart wants to "shut down"

That's why everyone forgives him if he overshoots the mark.

"He also knows that the yellow and red would not have been needed," said Keller: "But that shows how energized he is.

You have to forgive him for that.” Baumgart was able to smile at his own freak from a distance.

"I'm going into the dressing room now, I'll shut down and smile to myself," he said.

You can tell how electrifying this football enthusiast is taking part in the European Cup and progressing to the group stages.

As a professional, Baumgart was only able to play half of the European Cup at the age of 18 with Schwerin.

Now at least six more European Cup days will be added.

He promised his players to turn a blind eye on the return flight.

He can't say that everything is allowed, "but I'm also not one to ban anyone in any way," said Baumgart: "I would be exaggerating if I were to control everything now.

I assume that the boys tend to drink less and know what's good for them.

But you can drink one beer, even two.

And if someone thinks he has to smoke one, he can smoke one.

The boys are grown.

You'll know what helps and what doesn't.” But the celebration among the fans after the win was “pure enjoyment”.

The celebration with the fans after the win was "pure enjoyment": "That was a moment that we should really enjoy.

As long as it is possible.

As long as possible means: see you tomorrow.” From Friday, the focus should again be on the Bundesliga game on Sunday against VfB Stuttgart (3.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on DAZN).

But the boisterous block party after the prologue in the playoffs is said to have been just the beginning.

Now FC Europa really wants to rock.

Many in the environment think of Eintracht Frankfurt's emotional journey to Europa League victory last year, even if a similar success seems unrealistic.

But FC is also a traditional club that thirsts for Europe.

It is only the second season in the past 30 years that Cologne has played internationally.

The celebration in front of the curve after the game was "pure ecstasy", said central defender Timo Hübers, who made it 1-0 (10th).

And Steffen Baumgart, who has long since returned from his grandstand exile, went ahead.