There are contradictory omens for the last 16 DFB-Pokal clash between FC Schalke 04 and 1. FC Köln (Tues, KO 20:45) – Whilst the Royal Blues are higher up in the Bundesliga than they have been for years after a brilliant first half of the season, the visitors from Cologne are bottom of the table after a catastrophic first 17 games. However, Köln’s record against Schalke ahead of their 90th meeting is anything other than catastrophic.
In the last three seasons, Köln have won every battle between the two at the Veltins Arena. This season, in Peter Stöger’s final game as head coach just two weeks ago, the Billy Goats got one of their six points in a 2-2 draw. They had to field a weakened team, having been stricken with numerous injuries. The head-to-head record is also good reading for Köln fans, with 41 wins, 21 draws and 27 losses for the Billy Goats.
In the first half of the season, the four-time DFB-Pokal winners have only had wins to celebrate in their cup competitions. Along with their home victory against BATE Borisov and the surprise win against Arsenal in the Europa League, Köln have run out victors in both of their DFB-Pokal games this season, against fifth-tier side Leher TS (5-0) and at Hertha BSC (3-1). On Saturday, they got their first win of the season at long last, triumphing 1-0 over VfL Wolfsburg. Schalke reached this stage of the DFB-Pokal with wins against Regionalliga side BFC Dynamo (2-0) and third-division outfit SV Wehen Wiesbaden (3-1).
Poor Schalke cup record
Schalke and Köln have faced each other six times in the DFB-Pokal and the Billy Goats also have the upper hand in this competition. The Royal Blues have won just once – and that win came more than 45 years ago. In the semi-final of the 1971/72 season, Schalke went through on penalties. The Knappen have conceded at least twice in every tie against Köln. The most recent meeting between the two sides in the DFB-Pokal also took longer than regular time to settle. In the second round in the 2006/07 season, Köln triumphed 4-2 after extra time.
Since the last of Schalke’s five DFB-Pokal triumphs in 2011, they have only progressed past the last 16 once (last season) and they have lost their last five ties that they have played against Bundesliga opposition. Meanwhile, the side managed by interim coach Stefan Ruthenbeck last reached the round of 16 in the 2009/10 season.
There are contradictory omens for the last 16 DFB-Pokal clash between FC Schalke 04 and 1. FC Köln (Tues, KO 20:45) – Whilst the Royal Blues are higher up in the Bundesliga than they have been for years after a brilliant first half of the season, the visitors from Cologne are bottom of the table after a catastrophic first 17 games. However, Köln’s record against Schalke ahead of their 90th meeting is anything other than catastrophic.
In the last three seasons, Köln have won every battle between the two at the Veltins Arena. This season, in Peter Stöger’s final game as head coach just two weeks ago, the Billy Goats got one of their six points in a 2-2 draw. They had to field a weakened team, having been stricken with numerous injuries. The head-to-head record is also good reading for Köln fans, with 41 wins, 21 draws and 27 losses for the Billy Goats.
In the first half of the season, the four-time DFB-Pokal winners have only had wins to celebrate in their cup competitions. Along with their home victory against BATE Borisov and the surprise win against Arsenal in the Europa League, Köln have run out victors in both of their DFB-Pokal games this season, against fifth-tier side Leher TS (5-0) and at Hertha BSC (3-1). On Saturday, they got their first win of the season at long last, triumphing 1-0 over VfL Wolfsburg. Schalke reached this stage of the DFB-Pokal with wins against Regionalliga side BFC Dynamo (2-0) and third-division outfit SV Wehen Wiesbaden (3-1).
Poor Schalke cup record
Schalke and Köln have faced each other six times in the DFB-Pokal and the Billy Goats also have the upper hand in this competition. The Royal Blues have won just once – and that win came more than 45 years ago. In the semi-final of the 1971/72 season, Schalke went through on penalties. The Knappen have conceded at least twice in every tie against Köln. The most recent meeting between the two sides in the DFB-Pokal also took longer than regular time to settle. In the second round in the 2006/07 season, Köln triumphed 4-2 after extra time.
Since the last of Schalke’s five DFB-Pokal triumphs in 2011, they have only progressed past the last 16 once (last season) and they have lost their last five ties that they have played against Bundesliga opposition. Meanwhile, the side managed by interim coach Stefan Ruthenbeck last reached the round of 16 in the 2009/10 season.
