Get German Football News reports that Cologne lost both Thijs Dallinga and Ragnar Ache to injury during Saturday’s friendly against Viktoria Köln, with the problems emerging inside the same spell of play. The report says Dallinga initially required treatment after a knee issue and had to be helped off, before Ache came on for him in the 35th minute and later also went into the dressing room at half-time.
The same report says Cologne confirmed on Saturday evening that Dallinga suffered a cruciate-ligament injury and will be out for several months. Ache, meanwhile, sustained a muscular injury in his thigh and is also unavailable for the time being.
For Cologne, the supported selection consequence is immediate: both of the club’s established centre-forwards are now out ahead of the October 11 derby with Borussia Mönchengladbach, leaving head coach René Wagner short of recognised options up front.
What remains unconfirmed
- Whether Marius Bülter will be used as the main short-term replacement.
- The exact return date for Ache.