Following the Bundesliga’s return to action this weekend, we have teamed up with FC Köln to support the German club while the English leagues are suspended.

The Billy Goats currently sit 10th on their return to the top-flight, 10 points clear of the relegation zone and five off a European place, but it has not always been plain sailing.

Today, we take a look at their season so far.

Overview

After winning the Bundesliga 2 at a canter with 63 points, and with the backing of 50,000 fans at their RheinEnergieSTADION, there was high hopes for Köln going into this campaign.

But after a turbulent start to the season, which included just two wins in their first 11 games, head coach Achim Beierlorzer was dismissed.

His exit paved way for Markus Gisdol to take the helm, with the objective to secure Bundesliga safety.

Köln’s fortunes started to change from Matchday 15, when victory away to Bayer Leverkusen, shortly followed by a win at Eintracht Frankfurt kick-started their season.

After the winter break, heavy defeats against Dortmund and Bayern Munich did not halt their climb up the table, and they were soon back on track following a 5-0 win against Hertha Berlin in the capital.

Prior to a Rhine derby defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach before Covid-19 paused the season, Köln had won eight of their previous 10 games and were in scintillating form.

Top scorer

Columbian striker Jhon Cordoba has been ruthless in front of goal this term, having already netted 10 Bundesliga goals.

The 26-year-old made a slow start to the season while nursing a hamstring problem, but after shaking off the injury he has scored nine times in his past 12 games.

One to watch

Towering centre-back Sebastiaan Bornauw has hit the ground running since his summer switch from Belgian outfit Anderlecht.

With five goals to his name, the 21-year-old has proved decisive in both boxes and is the Billy Goats’ second top scorer.

Five of Köln’s 10 wins have come when Bornauw has been on the scoresheet, and they kept four clean sheets in those games.

Next up

The Billy Goats host 15th placed Mainz 05 on Sunday in their first game for over two months.

Tune in to BT Sport at 14.30 to watch the action unfold at the RheinEnergieSTADION.