Relegation threatened Cologne believe they have a chance to hand Bayer Leverkusen a first season defeat in their Rhine area Bundesliga derby on Sunday.
Leverkusen come to third bottom Cologne with a German top flight team record of 33 games without defeat in all competitions. They lead the Bundesliga by eight points, are in the German Cup semi-finals and in the Europa League last 16.
But Cologne first team chief Thomas Kessler said on Friday that "it is possible that we are the first" to beat them, because "every team loses at some stage."
Coach Timo Schultz admitted that "it is a challenge to play against a team that is unbeaten in 33 matches" but that success is possible.
"But it is a special game. We have to be unpleasant. We can do that. That's why we're convinced that we have the chance to keep the victory here," he said.
Cologne born Kessler acknowledged that Leverkusen were doing an "impressive job" and, "to be honest manage to embody that with a coach like Xabi Alonso with a high level of sympathy."
Kessler said that Leverkusen should win the domestic double and also go very far in the Europa League while also mentioning pressure.
"Everything is also on a silver platter. Every morning when they get up, the titles are there," he said.
Cologne are eight points adrift of safe 15th place and in the relegation play-off spot, with Mainz and Darmstadt behind them in the direct drop spots.
"The eight-point deficit is a big gap. But with the three-point rule, you can quickly get back within striking distance with one or two wins," Schultz said.