More than 15 years ago, 1. FC Köln beat VfB Stuttgart 3-2. That was in October 2000 and it was the last time the home team won when these both clubs went head-to-head. Springer and Lottner scored for Köln, and a young Timo Hildebrand was goalkeeper for the Cannstädter.
The Geißböcke are determined to end this unbelievable run and start the Rückrunde of the 2015/16 Bundesliga campaign with a home win.
Köln hoping to continue their Hinrunde form
This year, the club's officials decided not to leave Köln for a training camp but to play some friendlies against local clubs. The Billy goats won against 2. Bundesliga side MSV Duisburg 6-0, against FSV Frankfurt 2-0 but lost against fellow Bundesliga club 1. FSV Mainz 05 0-1. Another planned game against Rot Weiß Erfurt had to be canceled due to unplayable field conditions at the Erfurt stadium.
The first half of the season was surprisingly successful for the Domstädter. After a good start with seven points out of the first three games, there were some less pleasing results (2-6 against Eintracht Frankfurt, the unlucky 0-1 home defeat against Hannover 96 after a handball goal by Leon Andreasen). However, there were also some sensational wins; 2-1 against Dortmund, 3-0 against Schalke, 2-1 against Bayer Leverkusen and the important 1-0 derby triumph against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
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"A really difficult task"
"The game against VfB is a really difficult task. We are ready, but we also know that our opponent has their goals. They have good, very creative players in the attack," said Effzeh coach Peter Stöger at the press conference ahead of the game.
VfB Stuttgart are not doing as well as 1. FC Köln, regarding the Bundesliga table, but they stole themselves away the relegation ranks with five points out of the last three games; including a 3-1 win against last year's second-placed side, VfL Wolfsburg.
"Stöger's men are good in the defence. We will not have many opportunities, so we have to use the chances we get," VfB boss Jürgen Kramny told the media.