8th matchday
Finally a dog instead of a tree: Derby victory relieves sick Baumgart
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.
Steffen Baumgart was completely exhausted – and not just because of a bad cold.
“You may not look at it, but I’m in a humble mood. In terms of my health,” said the emotional coach of the previously winless 1. FC Köln after the cathartic 3-1 derby win against Borussia Mönchengladbach: “But I can tell you that “Some things have fallen away from me. I’m not someone who keeps my feelings hidden. And I’m glad that after a long time I’m not the tree, but also the dog.”
The 51-year-old had kept the mood in the club and the team high after one point from seven games, but the pressure on him must have been huge. Accordingly, Baumgart, who had to blow his nose every now and then at the press conference, but had previously stood on the sidelines in his usual polo shirt, seemed as if he had been relieved of a huge burden.
Pyro is followed by Cologne dominance
He was also able to comment on the red fireworks that the FC fans set off before the game with a smile after jumping from last place to the relegation place. Although it not only caused a six-minute delay to kick-off, but will also earn the FC a hefty fine. “A striker flew through the air again,” said Baumgart, referring to the club’s finances: “But I think it looked good.”
Cologne deservedly celebrated their first win of the season, but also thanks to two penalties by captain Florian Kainz (9th/77th) and a sending-off for Gladbach’s Manu Koné for serious foul play (72nd). In the 97th Bundesliga derby between the two old champions, it was the first dismissal in a game in Cologne and the first ever for Gladbach. Nico Elvedi equalized for Borussia (63′). Luca Waldschmidt, who took both penalties, 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: “We We weren’t relegated before the game and now we’re not saved.” That’s how the coach saw it too. “I’m very relieved, but it’s still just a beginning,” said Baumgart: “We’re still lagging behind the situation.” 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.”
With the ultras behind us
FC is now only two points behind Gladbach, meaning Borussia is now in the relegation battle. “It was too little in all respects. We played a terrible first half that I can’t explain. The best thing about the first half was the result. The bottom line is that it was too little,” said Gladbach’s Julian Weigl at DAZN and admitted: “We were all aware that we had a difficult year ahead of us. Nevertheless, we have to prepare the game well. We have a very important game against Heidenheim ahead of us.”
Around 20 minutes before the planned kick-off, the Cologne players had formed a semi-circle 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.