A month ago, promotion hopefuls Köln and Hertha Berlin played out a lacklustre match (1:0). It’s likely this cup encounter will similarly lack goals – even with squad rotation, both teams are eager to advance to the next round, placing the emphasis on defence.
That win over Hertha started a four-match unbeaten run for Köln. Following their victory against Magdeburg (3:1), they moved within a point of the top three in the 2. Bundesliga. In the previous round of the Cup, they defeated Holstein Kiel (3:0), with Luca Waldschmidt, who came off the bench to score twice, sealing the result late on.
In the last stage of the DFB-Pokal, Hertha also beat a top-flight opponent, overcoming Heidenheim (2:1), allowing just two shots on target from the European competition participants. They have assembled an excellent squad capable of securing a return to the Bundesliga – with Florian Niederlechner, Michaël Cuisance, and Jonjoe Kenny standing out. However, the coaching staff is dealing with injuries (five starters in the treatment room), meaning they are likely to be cautious away.
In the aforementioned head-to-head match of the 11th round of the 2. Bundesliga, Köln and Hertha managed just six shots on target combined. This cup game between evenly matched opponents is expected to feature few dangerous chances and goals.
