dpa
Cologne
Cologne coach Steffen Baumgart has told Bayern Munich his expected line-up for Saturday’s season finale in the Bundesliga. Second-placed Bayern must beat Cologne and hope Borussia Dortmund slip up at home to Mainz to lift an 11th straight title.
There is no love lost between Dortmund and Cologne. They are from the same state and the transfer of Anthony Modeste from the Billy Goats to the Black and Yellows in August caused ructions in Cologne. However, Baumgart says this has nothing to do with why he is naming his team so early.
“Davie Selke will come back in, that will be the only change in terms of names. Otherwise the guys who have been doing well recently will play,” Baumgart told a news conference on Thursday.
“And before anyone says I am leaking the team, I am not leaking anything. It is obvious.” Forward Selke was on the bench with a knock during last weekend’s 1-1 draw with former side Werder Bremen. His replacement Steffen Tigges is now injured. The last time Baumgart named his 11, his side thrashed Bremen 7-1 in January in the reverse fixture.
His announcement ahead of the Bayern game means goalkeeper Timo Horn will leave the club after 21 years without starting his goodbye match. Baumgart said this was out of respect to Dortmund.
“I’ve always said that we shouldn’t mess around when it comes to the title. Timo is number two and therefore Marvin Schwäbe will stay in goal,” he said.
Similarly, former Germany defender Jonas Hector is retiring after Saturday’s game but Baumgart is not planning on substituting him in order to gain applause.
