1.FC Köln coach Christoph Daum has delegated Milivoje Novakovic as the team's new skipper in the absence of Ümit Özat.
Daum came to the decision after conferring with the rest of the squad following final training on Friday.
“We're playing for Ümit”
Milivoje Novakovic said of his appointment, “I greatly appreciate the faith placed in me and will return it in kind. It's a great honour for me totake over the captaincy from Ümit. Of all the players who came into consideration for the job, I've now been at the club the longest. I will lead the team responsibly, and on Saturday we'll all be playing for Ümit.”
Özat collapsed unconscious half an hour into the game at Karlsruhe a fortnight ago. He was subsequently diagnosed with an inflamed heart muscle, and will be out of action for the next six weeks at least.
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