Kwasniok hails Ragnar Ache as 'King of the Air' after Köln's 2-2 draw | OneFootball

Ragnar Ache’s bicycle-kick opener lit up Köln’s 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim, and Lukas Kwasniok was effusive about his striker. According to BuLi News, the Köln manager lauded Ache’s display after the final whistle.

Ache hooked in a spectacular overhead after 15 minutes, leaving Oliver Baumann rooted as it flew in. Hoffenheim later clawed their way back to level the match.

Kwasniok said he wanted the day’s headlines to crown Ragnar Ache the King of the Air.

It was Ache’s fifth Bundesliga goal of the season, and his fourth in his last six league games. Only Said El Mala has scored more for Effzeh, a remarkable rise for a player who began the campaign as a substitute.

He joined in July 2025 after two strong years in the 2. Bundesliga with 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Early on, minutes were scarce as Köln initially preferred Marius Bülter up front.

Ache forced his way into the XI. He opened his Köln account in October in the DFB Pokal despite a 4-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, then struck his first Bundesliga goal days later.

His surge has continued into 2026, with four goals this year including a brace in a crucial win over Mainz, then strikes against Stuttgart and Hoffenheim. In all competitions he now has six goals and six assists.

“He’s come a long way and is an indispensable part of the team,” said Kwasniok, who also quipped, “The vote for Goal of the Year will now only be about second place.”

Source: BuLi News