"Said is 100 percent fit" – El Mala ready to return to Köln's starting XI against HSV

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·17 September 2026

"Said is 100 percent fit" – El Mala ready to return to Köln's starting XI against HSV

1. FC Köln star Said El Mala is back at 100 percent after recovering from a flu-like infection.

After missing Köln’s 4-1 defeat to Stuttgart, El Mala was only deemed fit enough to make a substitute appearance in last week’s 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen.

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Now, with Köln set to travel north to face crisis-hit Hamburger SV, the 20-year-old is in line to return to the starting XI.

“Said is 100 percent fit and has trained fully,” 1. FC Köln coach René Wagner said at his press conference ahead of the game.

“There was no need to manage his workload this week. He is, of course, an option for us to start in Hamburg.”

El Mala could also make his Germany debut during the upcoming international break after being named in Jürgen Klopp’s 44-man squad for the UEFA Nations League fixtures.