Promoted 2018/19 Bundesliga 2 champions Cologne can count on the experience of Germany international Jonas Hector - but will their captain's example be enough to keep them in the Bundesliga?

bundesliga.com takes a closer look at what to expect from the two-time German champions in 2019/20...

Aims in 2019/20

Cologne wasted little time rebuilding after their relegation from the Bundesliga in 2017/18, bouncing back at the first attempt by finishing top of the pile in the second tier. Following a successful two-year stint in charge of Jahn Regensburg, Achim Beierlorzer will get the chance to test himself in the top flight after being appointed head coach of the Billy Goats for the coming campaign.

The 1963/64 and 1977/78 German champions finished fifth in the Bundesliga as recently as 2017, but preservation and consolidation will surely be their main goals for now. Cologne picked up marginally more points on the road than they did at home last season, and they’ll be planning to be just as consistent this term.

The Billy Goats added attacking Dutch full-back Kingsley Ehizibue, defender Sebastiaan Bornauw and midfielders Ellyes Skhiri and Birger Verstraete in the close season, and all four will need to settle into German football quickly if Cologne are to target a successful season.

Players to watch

Just like in 2016/17 with VfB Stuttgart, Simon Terodde topped the scoring charts in Bundesliga 2 to fire his side to promotion. The 31-year-old netted 29 times in the league last season, and got able assistance from Colombia’s Jhon Cordoba who ended with 20. Anthony Modeste returned in January to chip in with six goals, and the French forward had a superb haul of 25 goals when the Billy Goats landed a top-five finish only two years ago.

Cologne managed just five wins when they dropped out of the top flight as the bottom team in 2017/18, so making sure that their talented attacking trio keep finding the net could be crucial this term.

Goalkeeper Timo Horn and Germany international Hector stayed with the team despite their relegation, and their top-flight know-how will be vital.

Watch: See the best goals from Terodde & Co. in 2018/19

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Summer transfers

IN: Sebastiaan Bornauw (Anderlecht), Kingsley Ehizibue (PEC Zwolle), Julian Krahl (RB Leipzig), Kingsley Schindeler (Holstein Kiel), Ellyes Skhiri (Montpellier), Birger Verstraete (Gent)

OUT: Jan-Christoph Bartels (Wehen Wiesbaden, loan), Chris Führich (Borussia Dortmund II), Johannes Geis (Nuremberg), Sehrou Guirassy (Amiens, loan made permanent), Tim Handwerker (Nuremberg), Jannes Horn (Hannover, loan) Matthias Lehmann (retired), Joao Queiros (Willem II, loan), Tomas Ostrak (TSV Hartberg, loan)

How they might line up

- DFL

Stadium

Currently known as the RheinEnergieStadion, the 49,698-capacity stadium in the west of the city was originally opened in 1923 but most recently underwent renovations in preparation for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. It hosted five games in that tournament, as well as three in the FIFA Confederations Cup the previous year. Recognisable by its four illuminated towers in the corners of the stadium, the ground is known for its vibrant atmosphere, with the stands and fans very close to the pitch.

Cologne get impressive backing from their fans at the RheinEnergieStadion. - imago images / Mika Volkmann

First five fixtures

Matchday 1: Wolfsburg (a) – Saturday, 17 August, 3.30pm CEST
Matchday 2: Borussia Dortmund (h) – Friday, 23 August, 8.30pm CEST
Matchday 3: Freiburg (a), Saturday, 31 August, 3.30pm CEST
Matchday 4: Borussia Mönchengladbach (h), Saturday, 14 September, 3.30pm CEST
Matchday 5: Bayern Munich (a), Saturday, 21 September, 3.30pm CEST

About the clubs

1. FC Köln

RheinEnergieSTADION