Koln managed to achieve their pre-season aim of extending their stay in the Bundesliga but it was a season of what could have been with the Billy Goats ending the campaign without a win in their last 10 games.
Koln were expected to struggle at the lower end of the table and the first half of the campaign was a disastrous one as they picked up just eight points from their opening 14 games, losing 10 times in the process. Koln were lodged firmly in the bottom three of the league table when the club decided to sack Achim Beierlorzer and bring in Markus Gisdol as his replacement.
While Gisdol also struggled in his opening three games, Koln quickly hit a rich vein of form, going on a run of eight wins from 10 games to emerge as serious challengers for a place in the top half when the season was interrupted due to corona virus outbreak.
Koln struggled to replicate their form when the season resumed in May and were only able to pick up four points from their final nine games though they had done enough to ensure they were never really in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle despite a slump in form.
Jhon Cordoba was arguably their best player over the course of the season and the attacker led the line admirably, ending the campaign as the top scorer with 13 goals. However it was Mark Uth's acquisition in January that was crucial for Koln's consistent run midway through the campaign as the attacker chipped in with crucial goals and assists.
Koln will need to improve their options, especially in the midfield and on the left side of the defense where none of the players were able to impress and hold on to their place in the starting lineup, if they are to ensure another successful campaign next season
