BvB wins 3-2 in Cologne: Batshuayi makes Aubameyang forget

Cologne One was gone, the other scored and the third came back. This interesting football evening began with whistles for Peter Stöger, albeit only cautiously and by no means from all FC fans: When the Austrian was called up as coach of Borussia Dortmund on his return to the cathedral city, he was, despite his immense achievements, until his dismissal not well received by everyone in autumn.

Then there was the one who was no longer there: Game one after the departure of top scorer Aubameyang meant a liberation for BvB and game one for Michy Batshuayi, the striker who switched from Chelsea to the Ruhrpott. The 24-year-old was allowed to play right from the start a few days after his move. To get straight to the point: the Belgian celebrated a successful debut. Above all, he made the goals to 1:0 and 2:1. With all the enthusiasm, however, it is permissible to point out that Batshuayi also showed with some nicknames why he has a dubious reputation.

The extremely slippery surface made it difficult for both teams to produce successful moves from the start. Here the BvB with its many light and fast kickers had advantages, but for a long time there was little right plan how they could live up to their role as favorites. Peter Stöger left the bench after just three minutes and coached while standing.

In the 13th minute, Jojic suddenly had a huge chance to make it 1-0 for FC. From an ideal position, however, the former Borussia player only got a weak shot, so that BvB keeper Bürki was able to fend off with his foot. Practically in return, Kagawa chased the ball over the top of the bar from a similarly promising position. And just a minute later there was a blaze in Borussia’s 16.

After that, the people of Cologne were more than a relegation candidate who put themselves in the back. That didn’t look like the bottom of the table against a Champions League contender. In the first 60 minutes, however, FC made too little of the many good approaches. Again and again a pass didn’t arrive or a cross was too imprecise.

The guests had the ball more often, but a lot was missing. After just half an hour, Peter Stöger sent all the supplementary players to warm up. There was also an unnecessarily high number of fouls.

And right in the middle of this phase, where BvB hadn’t managed to do anything right for 20 minutes, the young left-back Toljan made a good comeback on the left and placed an ideal cross on Batshuayi, who scored to make it 1-0 (35th minute). Speed ​​and quality simply prevailed at that moment and the people of Cologne once again had their backs to the wall. Shortly before halftime referee Brand took back the supposed 2:0 after video evidence.

Dramatic scenes in the second half

After the change of sides, it quickly became clear to everyone in the sold-out round that a lot was still to come. The eagerly fighting Guirassy had the first minor opportunity in the 55th minute, but the Cologne native proved, as so often, that he is not the most effective and was substituted shortly afterwards. In return, Cologne keeper Timo Horn prevented the early decision against Batshuayi with a brilliant reaction in one-on-one.

And how it happens: out of the blue, as BvB had scored 1-0, FC scored the equalizer after just under an hour. Substitute Simon Zoller responded brilliantly with a header after Dortmund goalkeeper Bürki was only able to parry a long-range shot from Heintz.

The jubilation had scarcely died down when Dortmund was leading again: Batshuayi was there again and shot coldly after Pulisic had stolen the ball from Heintz. FC didn’t let this renewed setback upset them, played forward and literally forced the 2:2. Defender Jorge Meré was lucky enough to get the ball from the back of his head into the goal after a corner. It was a very good Bundesliga game for a long time.

Batshuayi had the next chance 15 minutes before the end – but Timo Horn was able to easily defuse his header. But the hosts also had their opportunities. Maybe they ended up wanting too much. Six minutes before the end, FC had moved up far too far and could be countered in the textbook. André Schürrle showed – for once – his class and finished skillfully to 3:2. After that, FC still had a dangerous scene, but it wasn’t enough to equalize again.
Although Cologne lost for the first time under coach Stefan Ruthenbeck, they are again qualified for the first division. But the great momentum is gone for the time being and so the carnival festival will take place in 18th place.

As in the previous week, Borussia Dortmund repeatedly lost access to a game against Freiburg, but the bottom line was that they achieved four points where there could only have been one. Peter Stöger still has a lot of work ahead of him to reach the Champions League places. His new Störmer should be very helpful to him.

Bundesliga table

Background information on the game on the DFL website

Squad 1. FC Cologne

Schedule 1. FC Cologne

Squad Borussia Dortmund

Schedule Borussia Dortmund