8th matchday
Big relief: Cologne were lucky in the derby with two penalties
Florian Kainz celebrates after his penalty goal to make it 2-1 for 1. FC Köln. photo
© Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa
1. FC Köln went into the derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach with one point from seven games. The first victory was achieved there.
At the redemptive final whistle, he stretched Steffen Baumgart raised both arms in the air and blew hard. The 1. FC Köln coach then buried his face in his hands.
The emotional coach seemed to have been relieved of a huge burden after the derby win against Borussia Mönchengladbach. The Cologne team celebrated their first win of the season against their Rhenish arch-rivals thanks to two penalties and gave up the last place in the Bundesliga table to Mainz 05. Captain Florian Kainz (9th/77th) secured the 3-1 (1-0) win in the 97th Bundesliga derby between the two old champions with two penalties. Luca Waldschmidt made the decision shortly before the end (90th).
“There was a bit of pressure on the kettle, a special situation. It’s important that we landed this derby victory. But it’s only three points,” said Thomas Kessler, the Cologne head of the licensed player department, at DAZN . Goalscorer Waldschmidt added: “It’s good for everyone here in the stadium and for us that we’re finally rewarding ourselves for the effort. It was important that we didn’t collapse after the setback (1-1), but that we just keep going then put the game back on our side.”
Cologne’s will is too much for Gladbach
FC is now only two points behind Gladbach, meaning Borussia is now in the relegation battle. Defender Nico Elvedi had equalized (63′), but nine minutes later Manu Koné was shown red for a serious foul. “It wasn’t enough in all respects. We played a terrible first half that I can’t explain. The best thing about it The first half was the result. The bottom line was that it wasn’t enough,” said Gladbach’s Julian Weigl and admitted: “We were all aware that we have a difficult year ahead of us. Nevertheless, we have to prepare the game well. We have a very good one Important game against Heidenheim ahead of us.”
Around 20 minutes before the scheduled kick-off, the Cologne players formed a semicircle in front of the south curve and had ultras get them excited about the game. Just in time for the planned kick-off, an impressive motivation came out of the corner, but it was likely to cost FC a lot of money. After numerous red fireworks were shot off, the game finally started six minutes later due to the thick smoke.
The Cologne team actually started very determinedly, had their first chance through Timo Hübers after a corner from Leart Paqarada (4th) and then a bit of luck when they took the lead. Koné blocked a shot from Luca Waldschmidt with his arm. Referee Deniz Aytekin immediately punished the handball, but initially decided on a free kick. But the TV pictures showed the need for a penalty and Kainz kept his nerve. The volume of the cheers gave an impression of the extent of Cologne’s relief.
Usury of opportunities goes unpunished
Four minutes later the 2-0 was already within reach, but defender Jeff Chabot headed the crossbar from three meters and an acute angle. A deflected shot from Dejan Ljubicic also went just wide (19th). In general, the early goal had visibly inspired FC and noticeably shocked the Gladbach team. 15:1 shots on goal were in the statistics at the break and were also evidence of a strange apathy from Gladbach. Which should have resulted in 0-2 at the latest when Waldschmidt hit the inside post from 20 meters and the ball ran briefly along the goal line (41st).
Coach Gerardo Seoane had followed his team’s weak performance rather silently, but made a statement with a double substitution and the switch to a back four at the break. The Gladbachers were now a little better in the game, without initially putting any major emphasis on the outside. But a set piece equalized when Elvedi headed in a corner from Franck Honorat. Gladbach now seemed to have the advantage, but then Koné was sent off after a foul against Ljubicic. It was the first expulsion in a game in Cologne in the 97th derby and the first against a Gladbach player.
And after goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas defended against Waldschmidt, there was another penalty. Kainz initially missed, but was allowed to start again because Nicolas had left the line. He scored safely in his second attempt. Gladbach had to open up when they were outnumbered and conceded the third goal from Waldschmidt.