With two penalties to make the derby a lot easier: 1. FC Köln celebrated their first win of the season against their Rhenish arch-rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach and handed over 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).
After a point from the first seven games, coach Steffen Baumgart said in advance that it had “never been so important” to win the derby. FC is now only two points behind Gladbach, meaning Borussia is now in the relegation battle. Defender Nico Elvedi equalized for Gladbach (63′), but nine minutes later Manu Koné was shown red for serious foul play.
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.
1. FC Cologne inspired after goal
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.
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).
Referee Deniz Aytekin had many close calls to make. : Image: EPA
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.
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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.
