Jhon Cordoba continued his rich vein of form to propel FC Koln to a famous 5-0 win against Hertha BSC at the Olympiastadion last Saturday.
FC Koln celebrated their first win on carnival week in eleven years and their Colombian talisman was instrumental as he scored a brace to extend his tally to 10 goals in all competitions.
The Billy Goats looked destined for the drop earlier in the season on their return to the top-flight. But a revival in form under new coach Markus Gisdol has steered them 5 points clear of the relegation play-off position.
“Since Markus Gisdol was appointed coach, we have grown stronger from week to week. We put much more emphasis on fitness and speed, and we are much stronger physically.
“The fans feel that. That’s why the connection to them has become closer. The fans know when we need their support. That drives us forward, and then the fans are happy too,” Cordoba revealed.
Cordoba had never scored more than 5 goals in a single season in the Bundesliga prior to this campaign. He endured a goalless season when FC Koln suffered relegation to the second-tier in 2017/18 but he’s proven his critics wrong upon his return to the top-flight.
The supporters expected him to fill the void left by talisman Anthony Modeste – who left the club for China after scoring 27 goals in 2016/17.
“I never had pressure on me at Mainz. I know that Modeste scored plenty of goals but I’m here to be myself and do it my way,” he told Bundesliga Official in 2017.
He scored 20 goals in 31 games in the 2. Bundesliga to help guide FC Koln to promotion at the first time of asking. And he’s further endeared himself to the RheinEnergieStadion faithful with a number of electrifying performances in the Bundesliga this term.
After failing to score in any of his opening eight league appearances, it seemed his top-flight curse may continue.
However, the 26-year-old has scored 5 goals in as many games, including braces against VfL Wolfsburg and Hertha BSC respectively.
The Billy Goats are far from safe in the Bundesliga but Cordoba’s prolific form is likely to be instrumental in deciding their fate.
