Ondrej Duda on his role under Steffen Baumgart at FC

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FC professional Ondrej Duda during the friendly against Roda JC Kerkrade on July 31, 2021

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With seven goals and six assists, Ondrej Duda played a major role in keeping 1. FC Köln from relegation. How does he see his role under new coach Steffen Baumgart?

Cologne. Ondrej Duda (26) was the top scorer for 1. FC Cologne last season. In the preparation under Steffen Baumgart (49), the Slovak got later after his participation in the European Championship, so he had to catch up – and could initially sit on the bench in the Cup in Jena (Sunday, August 8th, 3:30 p.m.). Before the start of the competitive game, Duda spoke at Geißbockheim about the competition, his position in the Baumgart system and the goals for the new season.

Ondrej Duda: “Can’t wait for it to start again”

Ondrej Duda on …

… its current form: “I feel good. Last season was a long one for me with the European Championship, but I recovered well. Sunday we start with the trophy. Personally, I can’t wait to get started again. I’m hungry again. “

… his impressions of the team: “I also have a good feeling about the team. We have a new coach, new staff members and also new players. Of course it takes time for everything to fit together, but we are on the right track. “

… the game idea from Steffen Baumgart: “The coach has an offensive idea, I like that. You have already seen how he played with Paderborn in the Bundesliga. If everyone does their job, I have no doubt that it will work. “

… what has to change compared to the previous season: “We definitely have to win more home games. Last season it was easy to play in Cologne. It can’t be. I hope that with fans in the stadium it will be more difficult for the opponents again and that we will get more points. “

… his role under Steffen Baumgart: “We haven’t talked so much about my role. I do my job and play where he needs me. There are three positions I can play in – as one of the two strikers or on the ten. The system is offensive and that suits me. It doesn’t matter to me whether I play on ten or in the storm. “

Copyright: Herbert Bucco

Ondrej Duda in exchange with FC coach Steffen Baumgart (on July 18, 2021)

… the tougher competition on the offensive due to the engagement of Mark Uth: “I wasn’t automatically seeded last season either, there was competition in my position and I had just come from Hertha. For me it is not a matter of course to play. “

… his personal goals: “Of course I want to play a good season, but I never take concrete numbers for goals and assists. It’s about the team, we want to do better than last season and not get back into relegation. That was the first time for me and it was really mentally exhausting. “

… the return of the fans: “It’s a completely different feeling with fans. That motivates a lot more – that’s football. Football needs the fans. “

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