A spring in their step ahead of the season finale: 1. FC Köln's mood as they prepare to face FC Bayern

1. FC Köln have had an emotional season and now head to the Allianz Arena for the season finale having avoided the drop. Following a 3-3 draw at Borussia Mönchengladbach at the end of March, the club parted ways with head coach Lukas Kwasniok. His former assistant, René Wagner, took over on an interim basis – and the results were not long in coming: in their last six matches, the Billy Goats picked up six crucial points.

The turning point came in a thrilling relegation dogfight against Werder Bremen, when Köln ran out 3-1 winners and gave themselves some breathing space in the relegation battle. The Rhineland club also salvaged a point against both FC St. Pauli (1-1), who remain in the relegation zone, and 1. FC Union Berlin (2-2). This meant they were spared a real nail-biting finale on the final matchday. Even before Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to 1. FC Heidenheim, their survival was already assured – because FC Bayern had beaten VfL Wolfsburg 1-0 the previous day.

At the start of the season, there was little to suggest that Köln would be fighting to avoid relegation right up until the closing stages of the season. The team carried the momentum of their promotion into the new campaign, played with courage and attacking intent, and found themselves in a strong eighth place in the league after 13 matchdays.

But the team hit a slump at a crucial stage. In February and March, Kwasniok’s side failed to secure a single victory, with their form clearly on the wane. A change of coach followed – and with it, an upturn in form. Under Wagner, the Billy Goats had suffered just one defeat by the time of the Heidenheim match: a 2-1 loss in the local derby against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Köln have found some stability so they can play with a sense of freedom on Matchday 34 at the Allianz Arena.

Köln’s system, key players and versatility

Tactically, Wagner usually opts for a 4-2-2-2 formation. In front of goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Cenk Özkacar are the first-choice centre-backs. On the flanks, Sebastian Sebulonsen on the right and Kristoffer Lund on the left have most recently been given the nod. The central midfield pairing of Eric Martel and Isak Johannesson provides a balance between defence and build-up play. In Munich, Wagner could, as he did against Heidenheim, opt for the physically strong Tom Krauß in central midfield.

Köln also boast a versatile attacking line-up: with Linton Maina, Jakub Kaminski, Luca Waldschmidt, Jan Thielmann and Marius Bülter, there are several options available up front. FCB loanee Felipe Chávez has also been handed more and more game time recently, often coming off the bench. The mainstay, however, is the Billy Goats’ top scorer Said El Mala: with 12 goals and five assists, he's the Rhineland side’s most dangerous attacker and is usually deployed as a centre-forward under Wagner.

Having successfully clinched safety, Köln head to Munich with no relegation worries. For FC Bayern, however, Saturday’s clash (15.30 CEST) is about ending the season with a win in front of their home crowd – and then, immediately afterwards, celebrating a long and successful season with the fans at the Meisterschale presentation.

Let’s hope we see another one of these belters on Saturday: