Cologne’s Away-Day Struggles Raise Relegation Concerns After Frankfurt Defeat
1. FC Köln’s 1-0 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt has left the Bundesliga side facing an unwanted milestone—and renewed questions about whether they can turn promising performances into points. The defeat extended Cologne’s run without an away victory to 16 league matches, putting them one game away from matching a club record set during a disastrous relegation season.
That record dates back to 2003/04, when Köln failed to win any of their 17 away league fixtures and finished bottom of the table. The current side can avoid equalling the mark by claiming victory on their next Bundesliga trip, against Union Berlin on 1 November. But with confidence and results under pressure, the fixture carries extra significance.
El Mala warns Cologne must start collecting points
Young forward Said El Mala did not hide his concern after the Frankfurt match. Speaking to Sky, he described the situation as “extremely dangerous,” warning that Köln will struggle to build a safe league position if they continue to come away empty-handed on the road.
“If we don’t pick up points away from home, it will be difficult to collect enough points in the league overall,” El Mala said. At the same time, the 20-year-old expressed belief that the team can break its poor run. He argued that an away result would come sooner or later, provided Köln continue working and performing at a competitive level.
The urgency is sharpened by the team’s broader form. Köln’s last Bundesliga win came on 3 October, when they beat TSG Hoffenheim 1-0 under former coach Lukas Kwasniok. Since then, the club has been searching for a result capable of easing the pressure and restoring momentum.
Late Frankfurt goal decides a closely fought contest
For much of the meeting in Frankfurt, Köln appeared capable of leaving with a point. The visitors defended with discipline and competed strongly in challenges, frustrating an Eintracht side that has also been struggling for consistency. The decisive moment arrived in the 77th minute, when Younes Ebnoutalib found the net to give Frankfurt a narrow win.
Injuries have made Köln’s task more difficult, particularly in attack. Strikers Thijs Dallinga, sidelined with a torn cruciate ligament, and Ragnar Ache, out with a muscle injury, were unavailable. Their absence reduced the team’s options up front and forced coach René Wagner to use El Mala as a central striker.
El Mala had an opportunity to make a difference but could not convert a promising chance. He later acknowledged that he might have benefited from showing more composure, while also pointing out the difficulty of carrying the ball forward after starting a move deep in his own half.
“It just hurts incredibly badly that we lost here,” he said, reflecting the disappointment in the Köln camp. His frustration was not, however, a rejection of the team’s overall display. El Mala felt the side had produced one of its strongest halves of the season and had done enough to make life uncomfortable for Frankfurt.
A performance to build on—but not a substitute for points
El Mala said Köln had defended well before the break and felt the team had gained confidence as Frankfurt appeared to tire. The second half brought a shift in momentum, however, with the hosts becoming more assertive and eventually finding the breakthrough.
His assessment captures the tension facing the Billy Goats: there were encouraging signs, but another defeat leaves little room for celebration. Strong defending, improved intensity and a competitive first half can provide a foundation, yet Köln need to turn those elements into goals and results. In a tight Bundesliga campaign, repeated narrow losses can be just as costly as heavier defeats.
El Mala also pushed back against suggestions that Köln have become overly dependent on him in attack, particularly after his contract extension in the summer. He insisted that football is a team sport and said his own progress would not have been possible without the players around him.
That response matters as Köln work to manage expectations around the young forward. His ability to create chances and carry the ball makes him an important part of the attack, but the club will need contributions from across the squad—especially while established strikers remain unavailable. Improving the collective threat could help reduce the pressure on El Mala and make Köln less predictable in the final third.
Schalke, Union Berlin and a difficult away schedule
Köln have an opportunity to respond at home against Schalke 04 before travelling to Berlin for their Bundesliga meeting with Union. The teams are also due to meet in the DFB Cup at the RheinEnergieStadion shortly beforehand, giving the upcoming stretch a distinctive edge. A cup result could lift spirits, but the league encounter will be the more important test of Köln’s ability to halt their away slide.
If Köln fail to win in Berlin, they will match the club’s record of 17 consecutive Bundesliga away games without a victory. The challenge does not end there: after the international break, the schedule includes a trip to Bayern Munich on 20 November, one of the most demanding away assignments in German football.
That context makes the next few weeks crucial. Köln’s prediction for the coming fixtures will depend not only on the quality of their performances, but also on whether they can regain attacking depth and stay composed in decisive moments. The Frankfurt defeat showed that the team can compete; the next step is proving it can take points from that effort.
For now, El Mala’s message is both a warning and a show of faith. Köln cannot afford to let their away record define their season, but confidence alone will not stop the slide. A more clinical performance—and a result against Union Berlin—would offer the clearest answer to growing concerns about the club’s direction.
