Said El Mala
KOE
CF (LW)
Playmaking Forward
Aug 26, 2006 (19)
Both
6'0"
159 lb
FC KölnFit for new season
El Mala (ankle) is in the starting squad for Saturday's friendly against FC Rheinsud Koln and is fully fit for the new season, the club posted.
Analysis: El Mala finished his breakout debut Bundesliga campaign with 17 goal involvements, 75 shots and 21 chances created across 34 appearances, a season that ended with an ankle injury sustained late in the final match. His inclusion in the starting lineup for the preseason opener is a strong sign that the issue is fully behind him, positioning him to build on last season's breakout form as he heads into the new campaign.
Scores before injury
El Mala scored a goal with his lone shot but left in the 80th minute due to an ankle injury.
Analysis: El Mala scored Koln's lone goal in the 18th minute before being replaced by Jan Thielmann following a challenge in the 80th minute. The 19-year old ends his breakout debut Bundesliga campaign with 17 goal involvements, 75 shots and 21 chances created across 34 appearances.
Scores in draw
El Mala scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), one cross (one accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 2-2 draw against Union Berlin.
Analysis: El Mala gave the visitors a two-goal lead via close-range finish in the 61st minute against the capital city team. He's carrying excellent momentum in the final stages of his debut Bundesliga campaign, leading the squad with 12 goals in 32 games played (18 starts) and racking four assists over that period. He'll look to further increase those numbers if he stays put in the No. 9 position for the remaining couple of fixtures.
Delivers one assist
El Mala assisted once to go with 10 shots (three on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen.
Analysis: El Mala was the standout performer in Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Leverkusen despite ending on the losing side, hitting the post twice with efforts that should have given his side the lead in the first half, forcing Janis Blaswich into a sharp save. The forward also provided the assist for Luca Waldschmidt's consolation goal in the second half with a superb dribble and outside-of-the-boot cross across the face of goal, adding a season-high ten shots, one key pass and two tackles. El Mala has now registered three assists and 11 goals across 31 Bundesliga appearances this season, making him his team's top scorer.
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