The first round of the German 2. Bundesliga kicks off at 2:30 AM on August 3rd, with Cologne hosting Hamburg.
Cologne spent last season in the Bundesliga, but after a disappointing campaign with only 5 wins, 12 draws, and 17 losses, they ended up in 16th place with 27 points, leading to their relegation to the 2. Bundesliga. Their goal for this season is to return to the top flight.
The team hasn’t made major changes to its roster. To prepare for the upcoming season, they played a total of 8 preseason matches, achieving a perfect record of 5 wins and 3 draws, including victories against strong opponents like Swansea and Udinese, indicating their good form.
Last season, they scored 28 goals and conceded 60 in 34 matches, highlighting their struggles on both ends of the pitch. This season, they need to make comprehensive adjustments. Although the season hasn’t started yet, key player Finkgräfe sustained an injury during the preseason and might not be available for the game against Hamburg.
Hamburg had a successful season last year, finishing 4th in the league table with 17 wins, 7 draws, and 10 losses, earning 58 points. They missed out on promotion by only 5 points. As one of Germany’s most historic clubs, Hamburg fans are eager for their team to compete in the top league again.
Ahead of the clash against Cologne, Hamburg coach Baumgart emphasized their goals for this season: “In the 2. Bundesliga, our only goal is promotion. That’s clear. We’ve been working hard for it in the past few seasons, and we’ll continue to do so this season.” Hamburg has had a mixed preseason, with 3 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss in 7 matches. Baumgart acknowledges, “The preseason performances weren’t ideal, but the players have been excellent in training. They are well-prepared for the new season.”
Last season, they scored 64 goals in 34 matches, showcasing their potent attack, but conceded 44 goals. Their primary goal for this season is to strengthen their defense. Vuković is suspended and will miss this game. Additionally, Jönsson, Lab, and Grazl are sidelined due to injuries.
In their last 10 encounters, Cologne has a slightly better record with 3 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses. However, in their most recent friendly match, Cologne convincingly defeated Hamburg 4-0, making this game an opportunity for Hamburg to seek revenge.
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