After bankruptcy against Bayer Leverkusen
One point could be enough: This is how 1. FC Köln can save themselves
April 26, 2026 – 3:45 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
1. FC Cologne is annoyed about the defeat against Bayer Leverkusen. Nevertheless, relegation awaits on the 32nd Bundesliga matchday. These are the scenarios.
The opportunity was there. Above all, the scoring chances. The 1. FC Cologne took expensive advantage of opportunities against Bayer Leverkusen. The billy goats missed countless opportunities and ended up losing 2-1. Nevertheless, the performance gave us further encouragement for the last three Bundesliga matchdays.
One thing is clear after matchday 31: FC can save themselves next weekend. A point in the away game at Union Berlin could be enough. The reason: The billy goats have a much better goal difference than the competition and are practically impossible to catch up with. This is the savior plan.
With 31 points, FC is five points ahead of FC St. Pauli (26) and six points ahead of VfL Wolfsburg (25). 1. FC Heidenheim, bottom of the table, is nine points behind. With three games left and nine points to be awarded, FCH would theoretically still be a competitor, but with -31 goals they have the worst goal difference of all relegation candidates. Wolfsburg has -25, Pauli -27. The FC, on the other hand, only -8.
On the first weekend in May, FC plays at Union Berlin on Saturdays. St. Pauli welcomes 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Sunday afternoon (3:30 p.m.). VfL Wolfsburg has to play at SC Freiburg on Sunday evening (7:30 p.m.). For the sake of completeness, 1. FC Heidenheim has to play parallel to the FC game on Saturday at FC Bayern Munich.
Should 1. FC Köln win at Union Berlin on matchday 32, they would be able to stay in the league if neither St. Pauli nor Wolfsburg won their games a day later. Even if the Wolves win, the Billy Goats could turn the champagne cold, because then VfL would still be six points behind with only two games left and a significantly worse goal difference.
If the FC plays a draw with Union, the FC cannot mathematically make it completely perfect to stay in the league. However: If St. Pauli loses and Wolfsburg draws or loses, FC would be at least six points ahead of both teams – and the very bargaining chip in the form of the goal difference that would, in human terms, make relegation perfect.
In the event of a defeat in Berlin, FC will definitely have to wait because the lead over St. Pauli and Wolfsburg would then not be enough to be able to celebrate two match days before the end of the season, regardless of the results of their competitors. However: One point from the last three games would definitely be enough to avoid direct relegation and at least achieve relegation. Because: St. Pauli and Wolfsburg meet directly on the last match day.
The FC has it in its own hands. If the Billy Goats get four more points from the last three games of the season, they will no longer be able to stay in the league because of the goal difference. Two wins would remove all doubts. That’s why coach René Wagner’s team wants to win what could be a decisive three points at the Alte Försterei on Saturday. Then the FC could celebrate staying in the league from home on the couch a day later.
