RheinEnergieStadion: Home of Cologne(credit:
Wikipedia)
Cologne coach Frank Schafer believes today’s Bundesliga clash with Bayern Munich is one they cannot afford to lose.
The Billy Goats currently occupy the final place in the German top-flight’s relegation zone, three points from safety, heading into the meeting with third-placed Bayern.
The bottom half of the table is so congested that a good run of results could easily see Cologne climb the standings, but Schafer admits they cannot suffer many more defeats or they will find themselves playing in the second tier next season.
He said: “There is no such thing as a game in which you have nothing to lose.
“We are right in the midst of a relegation battle and we cannot say that we have a game now which does not count.
“Such a game provides us with a big chance to send out a positive signal as a team.”
Cologne slumped to a 3-0 defeat to St Pauli in their most recent league outing, while Bayern Munich eased to a 3-1 victory at struggling Werder Bremen.
Watch Cologne v Bayern Munich live at bet365, kicking off at 14.30 GMT.