El Mala stays home sick as Köln squad departs for Stuttgart

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·3 September 2026

El Mala stays home sick as Köln squad departs for Stuttgart

1. FC Köln will most likely have to manage without attacking star Said El Mala when they take on VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on Friday.

The 19-year-old has missed training in recent days due to a cold and was reportedly not on board the team bus that departed for Stuttgart on Thursday, according to local 1. FC Köln-focused outlet Geissblog.

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According to the report, there is still a small chance that El Mala could travel to Stuttgart in time for the game, but head coach René Wagner and his staff are currently planning without him.

Thijs Dallinga, who scored a brace off the bench in Köln’s 3-2 opening-day win over TSG Hoffenheim, reportedly also stayed behind due to a gastrointestinal infection.