FC Koln focused on set‑piece drills during its Sunday training session in Kitzbühel, aiming to fix the serious corner‑kick weakness from last season. After a brief rain break, coach René Wagner launched the second unit, with defenders taking the lead.
Why concentrate on set‑pieces?
The Cologne side conceded 20 goals from dead‑ball situations last season while scoring only five from similar chances. This imbalance turned set‑pieces into a glaring vulnerability that the coaching staff now tackles with intensive practice. Internal analysis flagged the back line as especially exposed when the ball came in from a corner.
Which players are leading the drills?
Luka Lochoshvili demonstrated a well‑timed header after a textbook corner from Alessio Castro‑Montes. Fellow defenders Isak Johannesson and Luca Waldschmidt worked on delivering balls from the corner flag. Goalkeeper Matthias Köbbing, the fourth‑choice keeper, guarded the net to test finishing quality. Some attackers like Said El Mala joined shooting drills, but the emphasis remained on the centre‑backs.
How could this affect the upcoming season?
René Wagner’s staff hopes the rigorous set‑piece work will cut down on goals conceded and boost offensive output. The club already saw Lochoshvili find the net after a corner in a test match against Bergisch Gladbach. If the new routines translate into match play, Cologne can expect a noticeable drop in defensive frailties.
What’s next for the squad?
Monday will bring more "hard‑core" training sessions, followed by a rest day on Tuesday. The coaches aim to cement the practiced patterns while monitoring player fitness. The coming weeks in the Austrian camp are designed to lay a solid foundation for a strong Bundesliga start, with set‑pieces remaining a key focus.
