Not one hundred percent good, but with one hundred percent passion

At the start of the second half in Sinsheim, Joel Schmied produced one of the defining moments of 1. FC Köln’s gritty 1-0 away win against TSG Hoffenheim.

Hoffenheim had carved their way into the penalty area with a neat series of passes, culminating in a thunderous strike from Bazoumana Touré that looked destined for goal. But Schmied, reading the situation with perfect timing, came storming in from the side, stretching every inch of his 1.88-meter frame to make a last-second block. His reaction was as telling as the intervention itself: punching the air and roaring in celebration, he expressed both the relief of denying a certain goal and the pride of delivering for his teammates at a crucial moment.

“Of course, that’s the best feeling, when you can still slide in and block the shot,” Schmied reflected after the final whistle. “That’s exactly what we work so hard for. And in the end, it’s all about those three points.” The Swiss defender’s contribution was immense, not only for that highlight moment but throughout the 90 minutes. According to kicker, Schmied earned a strong 2.5 rating, underscoring his impact in a match where defensive concentration and resilience were essential. He won 71 percent of his duels on the ground and an impressive 80 percent of his aerial challenges, statistics that helped Köln secure only their second clean sheet of the Bundesliga campaign.

The expectations were enormous

It was a night that showcased not just Schmied’s defensive ability, but also his determination to live up to the expectations that had accompanied his move to Cologne. “We proved that we have incredible spirit on the pitch and that everyone fights for each other. Just for our effort alone we deserved the three points,” Schmied said, praising his teammates and highlighting the influence of the more than 10,000 traveling Köln supporters who had turned the away fixture into something resembling a home game. “When you see that many fans behind you, you push yourself to go the extra mile, to throw in one more tackle. That’s what defines this club,” he added.

Schmied has been experiencing the unique intensity of life at Köln for more than half a year now. Back in January, he arrived from Swiss side FC Sion for a fee of around 2.5 million euros, one of the first transfers the club could complete after FIFA lifted their ban on new signings. That context made his arrival particularly symbolic: he was not just another reinforcement, but a player expected to help usher in a new chapter for the Billy Goats. The pressure was considerable, and his early performances in the 2. Bundesliga reflected the challenge, with an average kicker rating of 4.05 suggesting he had not yet fully settled.

But the story has changed. Under head coach Lukas Kwasniok, Schmied has developed into a mainstay of the back line. “I feel the trust from the coach. We have to be very flexible defensively, and that helps me improve tremendously,” Schmied explained. Honest in his self-assessment, he added: “Not everything I do is one hundred percent perfect, but what I do, I do with one hundred percent passion. I think that’s exactly what the coach wants to see.” His words are backed by his performances: six starts already this season and an average rating of 2.92, a sign that he is growing into one of the squad’s most reliable figures.

A run of form that fuels competition

Kwasniok’s faith in Schmied is rooted in more than passion and commitment. The Swiss defender combines athleticism and tactical versatility. His top speed of 34.3 km/h makes him the fourth-fastest player in the Köln squad and the quickest among the center-backs, a valuable asset in a league where defending against rapid counterattacks is crucial. With an 86 percent passing accuracy, Schmied has also shown steady improvement in his ability to build play from the back an area where confidence and responsibility are essential at Bundesliga level.

Still, there are areas for growth. His positioning and marking in the penalty area occasionally leave gaps, as seen in Hoffenheim when a couple of attackers managed to shake him off. Yet, overall, his form is strong enough that he is now viewed as level with club captain Timo Hübers in the internal hierarchy of central defenders. That, in turn, has intensified competition for places. Veteran Dominique Heintz has recently reclaimed a starting role, while in the winter the highly-rated Dutch defender Rav van den Berg signed as a marquee transfer will return from a shoulder injury. For Kwasniok, this abundance of options is a luxury, especially in what is expected to be a tough relegation battle.

Schmied, though, is cautious not to let a few strong performances create complacency. Reflecting on the season so far, he warned: “Such a negative spiral should never be underestimated,” pointing to the two consecutive defeats that preceded the win against Hoffenheim. “For a team with so many young players and players who haven’t played in the Bundesliga before, it’s important that we pick up points regularly,” he said. And for that, Schmied believes, there is only one recipe: “It requires fighting spirit. I am convinced that we will succeed.”

What Schmied’s journey illustrates is the fine line between pressure and opportunity. A player once struggling to meet high expectations has turned into a pillar of consistency and determination. His combination of speed, strength, and sheer willpower has not only made him indispensable to Köln’s defense but has also raised the level of those around him. Whether sliding in to deny a certain goal, rallying behind the fans, or openly admitting his own imperfections, Schmied embodies a kind of no-nonsense professionalism that resonates with supporters and teammates alike.

For Köln, his rise comes at the perfect time. The season is long, the battles are intense, and survival in the Bundesliga demands both quality and character. In Schmied, the Billy Goats seem to have found a defender who offers both.