2011–12 1. FC Köln season
| 2011–12 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | Ståle Solbakken | |||
| Stadium | RheinEnergieStadion | |||
| Bundesliga | 17th (relegated) | |||
| DFB-Pokal | 2nd Round | |||
| Top goalscorer | League: Lukas Podolski (14) All: Lukas Podolski (14) | |||
| Highest home attendance | (v. Borussia Mönchengladbach) 50.000 | |||
| Lowest home attendance | (v. 1. FC Nürnberg) 43.200 | |||
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The 2011–12 1. FC Köln season began on 31 July 2011 against Wiedenbrück 2000 in a DFB-Pokal 1st round match. They play their home matches in RheinEnergieStadion.
The club hired Ståle Solbakken as their new head coach. The board of directors announced their resignation at the annual general meeting. Speculation concerning Lukas Podolski's future at 1. FC Köln has been written about a lot during the season. 1. FC Köln were eliminated from the DFB-Pokal in the 2nd Round. The club was in tenth place halfway through the season. The club went to Portimão, Portugal, during the winter break. Unfortunately, the team had an alarming slump in form in the second half of the season, coinciding with news that their star player Lukas Podolski had signed for Arsenal on 30 April and would join the team on 1 July. They were officially relegated from the Bundesliga after their 4–1 home loss to second-placed Bayern Munich on 5 May on the final day of the 2011–12 Bundesliga season.
Review and events
Off-season
Prior to the last match of last season, 1. FC Köln hired Ståle Solbakken as their new head coach.[1][2] He previously coached Copenhagen.[1] Also on the last matchday of last season, Petit tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a match against Schalke 04 and has yet to debut this season.[2][3]
Pre-season
Arsenal defeated 1. FC Köln 2–1.[4] On 25 July, Solbakken named Pedro Geromel captain.[5] Lukas Podolski was Geromel's predecessor.[5]
Season
On 31 July, 1. FC Köln opened up their season with a 3–0 DFB-Pokal win against Wiedenbrück 2000.[6]
1. FC Köln were eliminated from the DFB-Pokal in the 2nd Round.[7]
On 13 November, Wolfgang Overath along with deputies Friedrich Neukirch and Jürgen Glowacz resigned from the board of directors.[8][9] Overath stated how there was a "strain in recent months" for all of them and "frustration, inner conflict, and wear and tear".[8] Overath also stated how the board was "not always a team" and how he "was reviled and insulted in a way, as I have never experienced before.".[8][9]
On 19 November, the match against Mainz 05 was canceled after the referee for the match, Babak Rafati, attempted suicide.[10][11] The match was eventually rescheduled for 13 December.[12]
1. FC Köln stated that they would allow Sebastian Freis and Kevin Pezzoni to leave on free transfers.[13]
For the winter break, 1. FC Köln returned to practice on 2 January 2012 at 11:00 CET (UTC+01) and had a training camp in Portimão, Portugal, from 5 January to 12 January.[14]
On 4 March 2012, a group 1. FC Köln supporters attacked a bus with Borussia Mönchengladbach supporters in it.[15]
On 10 March 2012, 1. FC Köln announced, that in mutual agreement, Volker Finke will be released from his position as Sporting Director.[16]
On 12 April 2012, 1. FC Köln dismissed Ståle Solbakken as head coach of the club and replaced him with Frank Schaefer.[17][18] The club was in 16th place at the time of the firing.[17] The club originally announced that he was "on leave".[18] However, Solbakken confirmed that he was fired.[18]
1. FC Köln finished in 17th place and were relegated on the final day of the season.[19] Hertha BSC would have been automatically been relegated if they had lost or drew against 1899 Hoffenheim.[19]
Lukas Podolski
Lukas Podolski's future at 1. FC Köln has been speculated much during the first half of the season by the media. Turkish media announced how Podolski and Galatasaray S.K. had already agreed.[20] These rumours were proved false when Podolski was still at 1. FC Köln when the transfer deadline passed. In August, Sports Director Volker Finke stated how the club absolutely must keep Podolski at all cost.[20]
Arsenal, Lokomotiv Moscow, Galatasaray S.K., Lazio and Schalke 04 are all known to be interested in Podolski and have been tracking him during the first half of season.[21][22] However, it would be difficult for Schalke 04 to sign Podolski. Podolski stated that "a change in the Bundesliga is for me very difficult to imagine".[23] Arsène Wenger has denied that he wants to purchase Podolski during the winter transfer period.[24] Die Welt has reported that Wenger has no interest in Podolski at all.[25]
Finke stated on 11 December that "Podolski would not be part of the squad for 2012-13, if he did not sign an extension" while Podolski responded by stating "he would be willing to play for the amateurs or sit in the stands while his current deal expired".[21] 1. FC Köln is about €25 million in debt and Finke doesn't believe that 1. FC Köln can afford a free transfer.[21][26] Deutsche Welle stated that the "more logical decision" would be to sell Podolski during the winter transfer period because he is not cup-tied to any club in UEFA's European competitions and how their position to sell would be weaken if they wait for next summer.[21]
Jürgen Klopp came out and criticized Podolski.[27] Klopp stated how Podolski only plays well every other week and is too expensive because of this.[27] Podolski stated how he turned down Klopp twice and how Borussia Dortmund can't afford him because they don't have anymore UEFA Champions League revenue this season.[27]
Arsenal F.C. defender Per Mertesacker stated how Podolski, along with former Arsenal F.C. striker Thierry Henry, would be "perfect acquisitions".[28] On 7 March, Mertesacker stated that Podolski has asked about "a potential move to the Emirates".[29][30] Oliver Bierhoff stated that Podolski would be making a "great move" if he left 1. FC Köln for Arsenal F.C.[31]
There were reports that claimed 1. FC Köln sold Podolski to Arsenal F.C. for €13 million with Bayern Munich getting 10% of the amount over €10 million.[32] However, Podolski himself denied that any deal has been finalized with Arsenal F.C.[33] Reports doubted that the move will even happen after Podolski claimed that he could be tempted by Lazio.[34]
Podolski finally decided to sign for Arsenal on 30 April.[35][36]
Matches
Legend
Win Draw Loss Postponed
Bundesliga
| 6 August 1 | 1. FC Köln | 0–3 | VfL Wolfsburg | Cologne |
| 15:30 CEST (UTC+02) | Match Report | Helmes  17', 90+3'Schäfer 85' |
Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 47,000 Referee: Manuel Gräfe Man of the Match: Mandžukić |
| 13 August 2 | Schalke 04 | 5–1 | 1. FC Köln | Gelsenkirchen |
| 15:30 CEST (UTC+02) | Huntelaar 42' (pen.), 47', 84' Holtby 48'Raúl 59' |
Match Report | Podolski 12' |
Stadium: Veltins-Arena Attendance: 61,673 Referee: Guido Winkmann Man of the Match: Huntelaar |
| 20 August 3 | 1. FC Köln | 1–1 | 1. FC Kaiserslautern | Cologne |
| 18:30 CEST (UTC+02) | Jajalo 19' |
Match Report | Iličević 17' |
Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 47,200 Referee: Knut Kircher Man of the Match: Trapp |
| 27 August 4 | Hamburger SV | 3–4 | 1. FC Köln | Hamburg |
| 15:30 CEST (UTC+02) | Petrić 11' (pen.) Rajković 59'Son 62' |
Match Report | 21' Chihi 49' Novaković 84' Clemens 88' McKenna |
Stadium: Imtech Arena Attendance: 51,289 Referee: Florian Meyer Man of the Match: Adil Chihi |
| 11 September 5 | 1. FC Köln | 1–2 | 1. FC Nürnberg | Cologne |
| 15:30 CEST (UTC+02) | Chihi 39' |
Match Report | Simons 31' (pen.), 35' (pen.) |
Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 43,200 Referee: Michael Weiner Man of the Match: Simons |
| 17 September 6 | Bayer Leverkusen | 1–4 | 1. FC Köln | Leverkusen |
| 15:30 CEST (UTC+02) | Rolfes 70' |
Match Report | Novaković 44' Podolski 47', 54'Jajalo 90' |
Stadium: BayArena Attendance: 30,210 Referee: Günter Perl Man of the Match: Podolski |
| 25 September 7 | 1. FC Köln | 2–0 | 1899 Hoffenheim | Cologne |
| 15:30 CEST (UTC+02) | Jajalo 20' Podolski 64' |
Match Report | Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 45,500 Referee: Peter Sippel Man of the Match: Podolski |
| 1 October 8 | Hertha BSC | 3–0 | 1. FC Köln | Berlin |
| 18:30 CEST (UTC+02) | Lasogga 14', 26' Raffael 34' |
Match Report | Stadium: Olympiastadion Attendance: 59,491 Referee: Florian Meyer Man of the Match: Ben-Hatira |
| 16 October 9 | 1. FC Köln | 2–0 | Hannover 96 | Cologne |
| 17:30 CEST (UTC+02) | Podolski 24', 86' |
Match Report | Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 46,000 Referee: Jochen Drees Man of the Match: Podolski |
| 22 October 10 | Borussia Dortmund | 5–0 | 1. FC Köln | Dortmund |
| 15:30 CEST (UTC+02) | Kagawa 7' Schmelzer 25'Lewandowski 44', 50'Kehl 66' |
Match Report | Stadium: Signal Iduna Park Attendance: 80,200 Referee: Felix Brych Man of the Match: Hummels |
| 30 October 11 | 1. FC Köln | 3–0 | FC Augsburg | Cologne |
| 15:30 CET (UTC+01) | Podolski 19', 24' (pen.) Peszko 56' |
Match Report | Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 48,000 Referee: Peter Gagelmann Man of the Match: Podolski |
| 5 November 12 | Werder Bremen | 3–2 | 1. FC Köln | Bremen |
| 15:30 CET (UTC+01) | Pizzaro 49', 54' (pen.), 86' |
Match Report | Clemens 3' Podolski 45' |
Stadium: Weserstadion Attendance: 41,500 Referee: Michael Weiner Man of the Match: Pizzaro |
| 19 November 13 | 1. FC Köln | Postponed | Mainz 05 | Cologne |
| 15:30 CET (UTC+01) | Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Referee: Babak Rafati |
| 25 November 14 | 1. FC Köln | 0–3 | Borussia Mönchengladbach | Cologne |
| 20:30 CET (UTC+01) | Match Report | 20', 47' Hanke 30' Arango |
Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 50,000 Referee: Manuel Gräfe Man of the Match: Hanke |
| 3 December 15 | VfB Stuttgart | 2–2 | 1. FC Köln | Stuttgart |
| 18:30 CET (UTC+01) | Gentner 29', 36' |
Match Report | 15' (pen.), 88' Podolski |
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Arena Attendance: 56,255 Referee: Felix Brych Man of the Match: Gentner |
| 10 December 16 | 1. FC Köln | 4–0 | SC Freiburg | Cologne |
| 15:30 CET (UTC+01) | Clemens 19', 66' Podolski 60', 73' |
Match Report | Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 44,500 Referee: Marco Fritz Man of the Match: Podolski |
| 13 December 13 | 1. FC Köln | 1–1 | Mainz 05 | Cologne |
| 20:30 CET (UTC+01) | Podolski 85' |
Match Report | 70' Allagui |
Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 44,800 Referee: Felix Zwayer |
| 16 December 17 | Bayern Munich | 3–0 | 1. FC Köln | Munich |
| 20:30 CET (UTC+01) | Gómez 48' Alaba 63'Kroos 88' |
Match Report | Stadium: Allianz Arena Attendance: 69,000 Referee: Guido Winkmann Man of the Match: Kroos |
| 21 January 18 | VfL Wolfsburg | 1–0 | 1. FC Köln | Wolfsburg |
| 15:30 CET (UTC+01) | Polter 78' |
Stadium: Volkswagen Arena Attendance: 27.057 Referee: Tobias Welz Man of the Match: Ashkan Dejagah |
| 28 January 19 | 1. FC Köln | 1–4 | Schalke 04 | Cologne |
| 18:30 CET (UTC+01) | Podolski 4' |
Marica 60', 73' Huntelaar 78'Höger 82' |
Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 50,000 Referee: Jochen Drees Man of the Match: Ciprian Marica |
| 5 February 20 | 1. FC Kaiserslautern | 0–1 | 1. FC Köln | Kaiserslautern |
| 17:30 CET (UTC+01) | Roshi 72' |
Stadium: Fritz-Walter-Stadion Attendance: 38,043 Referee: Wolfgang Stark Man of the Match: Michael Rensing |
| 12 February 21 | 1. FC Köln | 0–1 | Hamburger SV | Cologne |
| 17:30 CET (UTC+01) | Guerrero 88' |
Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 46,500 Referee: Florian Meyer Man of the Match: Paolo Guerrero |
| 18 February 22 | 1. FC Nürnberg | 2–1 | 1. FC Köln | Nuremberg |
| 15:30 CET (UTC+01) | Novaković 66' |
Esswein 28' Pekhart 85' |
Stadium: Frankenstadion Attendance: 38,101 Referee: Christian Dingert Man of the Match: Alexander Esswein |
| 25 February 23 | 1. FC Köln | 0–2 | Bayer Leverkusen | Cologne |
| 15:30 CET (UTC+01) | Bender 16', 50' |
Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 46,500 Referee: Felix Brych Man of the Match: Lars Bender |
| 4 March 24 | 1899 Hoffenheim | 1–1 | 1. FC Köln | Sinsheim |
| 17:30 CET (UTC+01) | Compper 33' |
Podolski 81' |
Stadium: Rhein-Neckar-Arena Attendance: 29,250 Referee: Robert Hartmann Man of the Match: Sebastian Rudy |
| 10 March 25 | 1. FC Köln | 1–0 | Hertha BSC | Cologne |
| 15:30 CET (UTC+01) | Clemens 36' |
Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 48,000 Referee: Guido Winkmann Man of the Match: Lukas Podolski |
| 18 March 26 | Hannover 96 | 4–1 | 1. FC Köln | Hanover |
| 17:30 CET (UTC+01) | Stindl 19' Schlaudraff 61' (pen.)Diouf 67', 83' |
Summary | Pezzoni 43' Sereno  61' |
Stadium: AWD-Arena Attendance: 45,000 Referee: Wolfgang Stark |
| 25 March 27 | 1. FC Köln | 1–6 | Borussia Dortmund | Cologne |
| 17:30 CET (UTC+01) | Novaković 13' Podolski 51' |
Summary | Piszczek 26' Kagawa 47', 80'Lewandowski 52'Gündoğan 79'Perišić 84' |
Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 50,000 Referee: Felix Zwayer |
| 31 March 28 | Augsburg | 2–1 | 1. FC Köln | Augsburg |
| 17:30 CET (UTC+01) | Koo 19' Sankoh 33'Rafael 45' (pen.) |
Summary | Geromel 26' Lanig 29'Podolski 42' (pen.)Brečko 54'Sereno 76' |
Stadium: SGL arena Attendance: 30,660 Referee: Tobias Welz |
| 7 April 29 | 1. FC Köln | 1–1 | Werder Bremen | Cologne |
| 15:30 CET (UTC+01) | Peszko 27' Jemal 39'Riether 58'Jajalo 75' |
Summary | Fritz 22' Rosenberg 24'Papastathopoulos 35' |
Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 50,000 Referee: Günter Perl |
| 10 April 30 | Mainz 05 | 4–0 | 1. FC Köln | Mainz |
| 20:00 CET (UTC+01) | Polanski 19' (pen.) Zidan 31'Müller 37'Szalai 54', 54'Choupo-Moting 82' |
Summary | Stadium: Coface Arena Attendance: 34,000 Referee: Felix Brych |
| 15 April 31 | Borussia Mönchengladbach | 3–0 | 1. FC Köln | Mönchengladbach |
| 15:30 CET (UTC+01) | Arango 19' Jantschke 53'Reus 55'Dante 82' |
Summary | Geromel 67' Podolski 79' |
Stadium: Borussia-Park Attendance: 52,990 Referee: Knut Kircher |
| 21 April 32 | 1. FC Köln | 1–1 | VfB Stuttgart | Cologne |
| 15:30 CET (UTC+01) | Peszko 50' |
Summary | Niedermeier 61' Harnik 67'Cacau 71' |
Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 50,000 Referee: Peter Sippel |
| 28 April 33 | SC Freiburg | 4–1 | 1. FC Köln | Freiburg |
| 15:30 CET (UTC+01) | Mujdža 36' Guédé 54'Caligiuri 84'Freis 90+1' |
Summary | Podolski 47' McKenna 76' |
Stadium: Mage Solar Stadion Attendance: 24,000 Referee: Wolfgang Stark |
| 5 May 34 | 1. FC Köln | 1–4 | Bayern Munich | Cologne |
| 15:30 CET (UTC+01) | Peszko 59' Novaković 63' |
Report | Müller 34', 85' Pedro Geromel 52' (o.g.)Robben 54'Schweinsteiger 71' |
Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 50,000 Referee: Florian Meyer |
DFB-Pokal
| 31 July 1st Round | Wiedenbrück 2000 | 0–3 | 1. FC Köln | Gütersloh |
| Match Report | Novaković 22', 45' Jajalo 78' |
Stadium: Heidewaldstadion Attendance: 12,000 Referee: Christian Dingert |
| 25 October 2nd Round | 1899 Hoffenheim | 2–1 | 1. FC Köln | Sinsheim |
| 20:30 | Obasi 40' Musona 50' |
Match Report | Jajalo 6' |
Stadium: Rhein-Neckar Arena Attendance: 16,000 Referee: Knut Kircher Man of the Match: Musona |
Squad information
Transfers
In
Out
Roster, appearances, goals and assistsAs of 30 April 2012[update]
Sources
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