Ahead of next week’s Bayern Munich tilt, FC Köln boss throws Luca Waldschmidt out of squad

FC Bayern could be facing a team in turmoil next week.

Remember when Luca Waldschmidt was one of the most sought-after players in the Bundesliga?

Back in 2020, Walkdschmidt was a rising star for SC Freiburg and impressed Benfica enough to pull him out of Germany with a €15 million deal.

Things have not exactly gone as planned for the now 29-year-old striker. This season, Waldschmidt is with FC Köln and has found himself in hot water with coach Lukas Kwasniok, who dropped him from the squad for this weekend’s game vs. Heidenheim per Sky Germany:

This is a real bombshell: Cologne coach Lukas #Kwasniok has, according to Sky Sport information, thrown Luca #Waldschmidt out of the squad for the away game in Heidenheim. 🚨

ℹ️ The 29-year-old striker hinted in the Kölner Express during the week that he was dissatisfied with his playing time under Coach Kwasniok.

🗣️ “No, definitely not, if you look at the pure number of minutes,” said the former national team player. “That’s clearly too little. Still, I keep trying to bring my strengths to the pitch when I’m on it. In my eyes, I’ve done that very well so far, if you look at my stats. A goal or assist every 74 minutes isn’t too shabby. The decisions are sometimes ‘hard to comprehend’ for him.”

⚠️ ⁠Kwasniok apparently didn’t like the candid words at all. In a conversation—which also included sporting director Kessler—the former Benfica pro was reportedly informed of the tough decision. But according to sources within the club, the interview wasn’t the main reason for the squad exclusion. Rather, the crisis meeting also revolved around role expectations. The two sides reportedly weren’t always on the same page there. Waldschmidt is then supposed to get another chance to work his way back into the squad in the new training week.

😮‍💨 Most recently, the Express reported that Kwasniok needs to be careful not to lose large parts of the locker room. It wasn’t the first interview in which a pro aired criticism between the lines.

🚨 The surprising squad suspension is also causing astonishment within the team. After all, Waldschmidt ranks statistically, alongside Said El Mala and Jakub Kaminski, as one of the strongest Cologne players in the first half of the season so far. In ten games (only five as a starter), he scored three goals and provided two assists.

➡️ FC is winless in six games. A win in Heidenheim is a must to brighten the subdued mood a bit. This mission will have to succeed without the creative player Waldschmidt.

So…FC Köln is going to be ready for Bayern Munich next week, eh?

Something is not right between the coach and his player — or maybe even multiple players. That should make for an interesting midweek showdown.