Kwasniok wary of El Mala’s fitness, Bülter an option against Augsburg

Here’s what 1.FC Köln gaffer Lukas Kwasniok had to say in his press conference this Thursday afternoon.

A high-flying 1.FC Köln take on FC Augsburg on Saturday and coach Lukas Kwasniok is happy that the international players “returned well” but won’t take too many risks with younger stars. 

“Said [El Mala] had slight muscle tension, but he was also on the pitch today. Just because someone scores a goal doesn’t mean they’ll automatically start in the future.

“With Said, it’s important to use the flow. But at 19, he also played three games in one week. We don’t want to be careless or irresponsible,” said Kwasniok. 

Marius Bülter’s involvement also seems uncertain, while summer signing Sebastian Sebulonsen was singled out for high praise. 

“[Playing] 90 minutes of Bundesliga football after a three-week injury layoff is serious. We must mind the player. But he’s [Bülter] an option. Whether he starts or comes on is an open question.

“Seb[ulonsen] is a machine. He can run up and down the line until the doctor arrives. He holds his own defensively and poses a threat offensively.

“He helps us with set pieces. He has already made a massive an impact in the Bundesliga,” the Effzeh coach added.