Status: 08/15/2021 7:20 p.m.
1. FC Köln turned the game against Hertha BSC after falling behind and started the new Bundesliga season 3: 1 (1: 1). This is the league debut of the new Cologne trainer Steffen Baumgart.
The man of the evening was double packer Florian Kainz. The guests had taken an early lead through Stevan Jovetic (5th). Cologne equalized before the break through Anthony Modeste (41st), before Kainz was able to decide the game in favor of FC with a double (51st / 55th). “We had a very good line-up in the penalty area. I was the one who was able to finish,” said the double goalscorer DAZN.
Fast pace in the first round
The game began rapidly: Hertha took the lead thanks to a Jovetic squeeze. Then the game swayed back and forth. Suat Serdar checked Cologne goalkeeper Timo Horn (10th), Uth gave the great chance to equalize before Hertha goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow (17th). After around 25 minutes, there was no penalty for Berlin according to video evidence – Rafael Czichos had previously got the ball on the elbow.
However, Cologne now had more possession and was allowed to celebrate the deserved equalization shortly before the break: Modeste headed a cross from the left into the goal – but under violent protests from Hertha, who complained about a foul by the striker.
With Kainz, FC almost took the lead before half-time. “The Cologne team did well, but of course we have to pick up the first few minutes after 35 minutes,” said Herthas Niklas Stark.
Kainz decides the game
The second half started with a furious FC. First Skhiri failed on the strongly reacting Schwolow (47th), then a short time later Kainz dusted off a blocked cross to make it 2-1. Just 180 seconds later, the Austrian refined a low cross from Benno Schmitz for the third Cologne goal.
Berlin coach Pal Dardai brought Dodi Lukebakio and Marco Richter into the game – but Cologne had the next opportunity again: Modeste headed past the goal on the right (67th).
In the last quarter of an hour Berlin threw everything forward again. Lukebakio headed over the Cologne box from a good position (78th). An offside goal from Santiago Ascacibar was rightly not given. Cologne left several counter-situations unused – that didn’t change anything about the victory.
FC to Munich with confidence
Hertha will make a new attempt for the first three of the Bundesliga season in the first home game on Saturday (21.08.2021) at 3:30 p.m. against VfL Wolfsburg. The Cologne go into the duel against record champions Bayern Munich with a tailwind. “We’ll go there and try everything,” said Baumgart about the upcoming game. Kick-off is on Sunday at 5.30 p.m.
Source: sportschau.de