Two stars in hospital! 1. FC Cologne doubly shocked straight away in friendly match

1. FC Cologne are worried about their strikers after a friendly against third-tier club Viktoria Cologne.

A week before the Rhineland derby against arch-rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach, both Thijs Dallinga and Ragnar Ache went off after picking up knocks. Both strikers left the stadium during the match for further examinations. The match ended 2-2 (1-2).

Dallinga stayed down after a challenge in the first half. The Dutchman twisted awkwardly and could not continue.

Ache replaced him, but only briefly. Not even 10 minutes after coming on, the 28-year-old grabbed his thigh. He did not return to the pitch after the break and instead headed to the clinic with Dallinga.

How did coach Rene Wagner react?

"We have to see what the situation is now and of course hope for the best," coach Rene Wagner explained. "We have to wait and see what the scans show." The 38-year-old did not want to think yet about the possible absence of both centre-forwards. "We now hope both will come through it. We have to decide everything else when the time comes. For now, we are believing in the positive."

Following the international break, Cologne host Gladbach on 11 October (3.30pm/DAZN).