Hoffenheim spoils Cologne’s carnival party

The relegation-threatened 1. FC Köln was only able to temporarily get its fans into a carnival mood before the Rose Monday parade. Coach Timo Schulz’s relegation-threatened team drew 1-1 at TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday evening and only gave up the win in stoppage time. Max Finkgräfe gave the guests the lead with a free kick goal in the 79th minute. Substitute Andrej Kramaric equalized (90+4).

“If you get a goal like that in the 94th minute, it’s incredibly bitter,” said Benno Schmitz on DAZN: “We were very close again today. It goes on. We have to find the base at the back.” Finkgräfe was happy about his goal, but “it feels more like a defeat,” said the youngster.

The FC, who will be there with their own car at the move on Monday, impressed with their passion and commitment. The draw means the Rhinelanders are four points ahead of the direct relegation zone. The Hoffenheim team have been going seven league games without a win.

“I’m looking forward to the move,” said Cologne coach Timo Schultz, who won his first win as FC coach last matchday (2-0 against Eintracht Frankfurt), on “DAZN” shortly before kick-off: “We can do the carnival But we celebrate even better when we win.”

His counterpart Pellegrino Matarazzo had to justify his decision not to play Andrej Kramaric; the Croatian only sat on the bench. “The line-up took me half the night,” said the coach: “I wanted to get the best mix on the pitch. It wasn’t an easy decision.”

The 23,020 spectators in the Sinsheim Arena, including almost a third of them FC supporters, saw a competitive opening phase. The Cologne team impressed with great will against the hosts, who were better in terms of play. In the 14th minute, TSG winger Ihlas Bebou caused danger in front of the Cologne goal for the first time.

After that, not much happened anymore. The guests, who had to make do without Timo Hübers, Davie Selke, Mark Uth and Luca Waldschmidt, were largely stable in defense. Only Hoffenheim’s attacker Wout Weghorst tested Cologne goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe (26th). Shortly before the break, the Dutchman had the best chance of the first half (43′).

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At the beginning of the second round nothing changed. Hoffenheim, who were missing the suspended John Anthony Brooks as well as Mergim Berisha and Marco John, had more of the game – Cologne defended skillfully.

In the 68th minute, Matarazzo brought in three new players, including Kramaric. Even after that, the FC defended with great commitment. The needle pricks on offense also meant that Hoffenheim had to remain careful in defense. This didn’t work with Finkgräfe’s free kick.