Cologne 2026/27 season preview: Will the Saïd El Mala factor make the difference?

Cologne
2025/26 finish: 14th
Pre-season results: 5-0 win vs. Rheinsud Köln, 8-0 win vs. Bergisch Gladbach, 2-2 draw vs. Hertha Berlin, 2-1 win vs. Real Sociedad
First three fixtures: Hoffenheim (H), Stuttgart (A), Werder Bremen (H)What to expect?
First and foremost, Cologne will want to avoid a repeat of last season's nervy end to the season, in which a poor run of form saw them get sucked back into a relegation battle. The loss of Jakub Kamiński and Eric Martel - two of their most con