[Trim]

"At least eight teams will compete for promotion", 1. FC Köln head coach Christoph Daum tells bundesliga.de prior to the big kick-off.

bundesliga.de: Mister Daum, why let your team slip away a 2-0 lead in the DFB Cup match at Werder Bremen reserves?

Christoph Daum: I think we were just careless. After going ahead early on we had several good chances which we didn't put away. Afterwards we were too passive, that's why Werder reserves came back into the match. We had some good chances at the end, but were knocked out due to an unfortunate penalty for handball.

bundesliga.de: How disappointing was the cup exit?

Daum: Of course we are very disappointed about it. The defeat was very, very painful because it was completely unnecessary. But I hope that it will act as a wake-up call at the right time.

bundesliga.de: Do you fear a bad mood in the team and the environment?

Daum: Naturally no one here is in a good match after such a match. It will be important how we deal with this situation. We face the topic and work concentratedly on what we have to improve.

bundesliga.de: The attack with Helmes, Novakovic and Vucicevic already works well, but the defensive problems in Bremen were the same as last season. How do you want to improve that?

Daum: We arranged the team anew. It's clear that not everything works yet. The players have to become attuned to one another. We've seen that we're not yet where we want to be in terms of fine-tuning. I think we will need four or five weeks before we're stable. Additionally we have missed a player (Youssef Mohamad, injured) who is very important in defence.

bundesliga.de: 14 of your colleagues see 1. FC Köln as promotion favourites. How do you ease the pressure on the team?

Daum: You see, prior to kick-off every coach is trying to make the other teams favourites. Many coaches mentioned Mönchengladbach or Mainz, too. Moreover pressure is nothing negative, it can also produce better performances. Most of my players are experienced enough to deal with pressure situations.

bundesliga.de: Which teams are your strongest rivals when it comes to promotion?

Daum: I think the three relegated teams, Mönchengladbach, Mainz and Aachen. Additionally teams like Munich 1860 or Kaiserslautern. This season we will see the strongest 2. Bundesliga ever. At least eight teams will compete for promotion. And there will surely be surprise teams no one reckons with now.

bundesliga.de: Which clubs could cause an upset?

Daum: First and foremost promoted Hoffenheim, they have bought very well, just like Koblenz did. They have all invested a lot and bought well. Augsburg could have a surprise in store too.

bundesliga.de: Faryd Mondragon was in goal against Bremen. Will he be your number one for the 2. Bundesliga season as well?

Daum: Yes.

bundesliga.de: What about Stefan Wessels? Is there a chance for him to win a regular place or would you advise him to leave the club?

Daum: Stefan Wessels was in England for a trial this week, at his own request. He did two training sessions at Everton and thought that he did well. Now it's up to him how things continue.

bundesliga.de: St. Pauli are your first opponent in the 2. Bundesliga - an uncomfortable opponent full of confidence after their DFB Cup win over Leverkusen. How do you motivate your players for the match at the Millerntor?

Daum: I don't need to give my players extra motivation. We have a lot to make up for after our last match. St. Pauli have beaten Leverkusen. The stadium is completely sold-out and will be a seething cauldron. These facts are enough, I won't need to say a lot more.