The boss returns in time for the Rheinderby: Daniel Farke was able to test himself before the game against 1. FC Köln.

After the bitter 1: 5 bankruptcy against Werder Bremen, Daniel Farke had to go into isolation due to a positive corona test. On Friday, however, he returned to training and led the session ahead of the Rheinderby against Cologne (Sunday, 3:30 p.m.).

"I'm fine. I'm happy to be back here," said the Gladbach coach at the press conference on Friday. "I had symptoms for the first day or two, but since Monday noon it has been going up every hour. The rapid tests have been negative since Wednesday, and the PRC test yesterday as well."

Farke does not see a disadvantage in not being able to lead the training sessions during the week. "I was in constant contact with my assistant coaches. They are experienced enough to lead training sessions. I also followed the whole thing digitally," he said. "The direct preparation for the derby doesn't start until today anyway. So my absence wasn't a huge problem.

The 45-year-old stressed that he felt "particularly great anticipation" for the derby. It is also "the most important game of the year" for the fans. "Derbies always have a special explosiveness and emotionality," he reported. "The table doesn't matter on Sunday. You just want to win the derby, and we'll give everything for that."

In terms of personnel, Farke probably only has to make do with the three long-term injuries on Sunday (Ko Itakura, Flo Neuhaus

This article was originally published on 90min.com as Derby in time: Daniel Farke out of isolation.