The 1. FC Köln can once again rely on its head of defence and offensive man Jan Thielmann at FC Schalke.

1. FC Köln started the rest of the Bundesliga with a furious 7:1 against Werder Bremen and a remarkable 1:1 at FC Bayern München.

Now it’s off to FC Schalke 04 on Sunday (3:30 p.m.), who need every point in the fight against relegation to avoid being relegated early on. Therefore, FC coach Steffen Baumgart emphasises before the match: “For Schalke, the match will have a kind of endgame character. So we expect them to play with full power against us.”

Which speaks for an intense match, because FC also comes via physicality, against FC Bayern the players ran a total of almost 130 kilometres, an absolute top value.

Good for Cologne: Before the S04 game, defender Timo Hübers and Jan Thielmann are fit again and in the squad. Young centre-back Elias-Geoffrey Bakatukanda, who will join the U19s, and Ondrej Duda, who is said to be on the verge of a move to Italy, will have to make way for them for the time being.

Also always a topic for a transfer is Cologne’s midfield motor Ellyes Skhiri, who scored three times against Bremen and Bayern. He could transfer free of charge in the summer, a transfer fee would only be possible in the winter. Baumgart on the subject: “I want to make it clear that we will do everything we can to keep Ellyes beyond the summer, even if it will be difficult. Whichever club doesn’t have him on their books has only itself to blame. I’m a bit annoyed that rumours keep flying about Skhiri. Fortunately, he is such a good youngster who is fully focused and is not impressed by it. There is no offer for him at the moment.”

Therefore, he will also be on the ball for FC at Schalke, Baumgart looks ahead: “We played a very good game in Munich, we are really happy with the point win. Against Schalke, however, we will experience a similarly intense game. We want to show our performance again with a willingness to run. “