FC Köln will be without summer signing Thijs Dallinga for several months after the Dutch forward sustained a cruciate ligament injury in Saturday’s 2-2 friendly draw at Viktoria Köln. Ragnar Ache was also injured in the match and will miss the immediate fixtures with a muscle problem.
Dallinga, 26, went down after a challenge in the 27th minute at Sportpark Höhenberg and left the field with assistance from two members of the medical staff. Subsequent examinations confirmed the serious knee injury.
The striker joined Köln from Bologna on loan in mid-August, with an option to buy included in the agreement. He made a fast impact in the Bundesliga, scoring twice on his debut against Hoffenheim and receiving a 1.0 rating for that display. His following appearances, in the 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen and the 2-1 defeat at Hamburg, were less convincing.
Ache adds to Köln’s forward concerns
Ache had come on as a substitute against Viktoria and missed a major chance before half-time. The 28-year-old had repeatedly held the back of his thigh and was withdrawn at the interval.
Köln confirmed that Ache suffered a muscle injury. No precise return date was given, but he will not be available for the coming games.
He has featured in all four of Köln’s Bundesliga matches this season and scored his first league goal in the loss at Hamburg.
Derby and cup tie ahead
Coach René Wagner now faces a reduced striking department before a demanding October schedule. Köln host Borussia Mönchengladbach in the derby on 11 October, then travel to Eintracht Frankfurt before meeting promoted Schalke. Union Berlin visit later in the month for a DFB-Pokal tie.
