Cologne is reeling from the news of Jusuf Gazibegovic’s injury, which has emerged as another setback for 1. FC Köln.
On Saturday, March 15, 2025, during the team's match against Darmstadt, Gazibegovic sustained what has been classified as a severe ankle injury due to a reckless foul by opposing player Fraser Hornby. The moment left the 25-year-old defender limping off the field after just 68 minutes of play, raising immediate concerns for both the player and the team's prospects moving forward.
Following the incident, Gazibegovic underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the Mediapark Clinic on Monday, March 17, 2025, which confirmed the grim news—he will be sidelined for several weeks. The announcement from the club highlighted the injury's impact not only on Gazibegovic's availability for upcoming fixtures but also on his participation with the Bosnian national team. He will definitely miss the upcoming international matches for Bosnia, marking yet another challenging moment for the player who recently transferred from Sturm Graz to the FC Köln this winter.
Head coach Gerhard Struber had expressed immediate concern after the match. "It goes without saying, he doesn’t feel well; he has sustained an ankle injury. After such unsporting conduct, his ankle has definitely seen some serious stress," he noted, reflecting the club's worries about the long-term recovery of Gazibegovic.
This injury adds to Köln's current woes, as they are already missing key players, including Linton Maina, who has been out due to a torn ligament, and Damion Downs, who is recovering from hand surgery. Maina has been recognized as one of the most consistent offensive players within the squad, making his absence felt even more acutely during this pivotal stretch of the season. Downs missed two matches and is only expected to return by late March, creating significant gaps for Köln's attacking front.
Tim Lemperle is back after seven weeks off due to injury, and the team will need to rely heavily on his integration as they scramble to adjust their lineup. Struber may now also need to reshuffle his defensive structure, calling back Jan Thielmann to the defense from his promising motions as an offensive player. This could potentially weaken Köln's attack, which was just beginning to regain momentum before these injuries struck.
Given the diminished squad depth as they face upcoming matches, including the away game against Paderborn on March 29, Struber has significant decisions to make. Gazibegovic has proven to be a valuable asset since his arrival—he quickly established himself as the choice right-back. Unfortunately, due to the previous switch to a back-three positioning, he was unable to fully capitalize on his strengths, prompting discussions on the adequacy of the winter transfer period.
Despite Gazibegovic's contributions, he hasn't fully solidified his status as a top player, as Cincinnati's recent performances and injury struggles put him at risk of lacking match fitness. The winter transfer of Gazibegovic for about two million Euros was meant to stabilize the right flank; yet, with results being subpar and the team performance struggling, questions naturally arise about his value.
What compounds the challenge for the staff at FC Köln is not only the need for immediate replacements but also the broader strategy of building the team to climb the leagues. Management must now examine their transfers critically, as the club has pursued three additional players, each at significant fees, but has yet to see any of them deliver as consistent game-changers.
Imad Rondic, one of the new signings, has performed under expectations; his lack of goals or assists raises questions about his integration and impact on the squad. Playing only 214 minutes collectively, his presence on the pitch has surprisingly registered only 1.17 points for Köln. One can only assume the team needed more firepower than currently possesses, especially considering recent performances against rivals like Ulm.
The weight of expectations and realities collides going forward—while Gazibegovic's injury leaves the Köln backline vulnerable, the question remains about how management will address the evident lapses within the team structure and the transfers.
Köln’s chief sports officer Christian Keller remains somewhat optimistic, stating, "Both Gazibegovic and his fellow newcomer Joel Schmied have contributed consistently, and from our perspective, the winter signings can be deemed satisfactory." Nevertheless, it remains unclear how they view the overall contributions compared to demands arising from relegation battles.
With injuries mounting and the season approaching its decisive stages, one could only hope Gazibegovic has made notable recoveries. For now, Köln navigates through the murky waters of uncertainty, holding hopes for the impending returns of injured players, including talented youth such as Tim Lemperle and established names like Damion Downs.
