Cologne's Claudio Pizarro sidelined with thigh injury
Cologne are set to be without striker Claudio Pizarro for a spell after the Bundesliga goalscoring legend sustained a right thigh injury during the warm-up to the Billy Goats’ scoreless draw against Werder Bremen on Sunday.
Selected to start for the first time under coach Peter Stöger since signing for Cologne as a free agent just over three weeks ago, the Peruvian international was unable to add to his two previous appearances as a substitute on what turned out to be a frustrating day for the 39-year-old.
Watching from the bench, the former Bayern Munich and Werder star saw his latest side pick up only their second point of the season in what has been a largely disappointing campaign to date for the Carnival club. In Pizarro’s stead, 21-year-old French forward Sehrou Guirassy was given a maiden Bundesliga start up front.
Cologne remain bottom of the Bundesliga standings and following a midweek DFB Cup encounter away to Hertha Berlin, next face high-scoring Bayer Leverkusen in Germany’s top flight on Matchday 10.
Watch: Pizarro speaks about his return to the Bundesliga at 39!