In the 3rd football league, Rot-Weiss Essen and Viktoria Köln delivered an offensive exchange of blows with many chances. In the end, RWE kept the points on Hafenstrasse.
The Essen team won 3-1 (0-0) against the guests from Cologne on Tuesday evening (January 23, 2024). After a first half full of chances but goalless, captain Vinko Sapina broke the spell with a penalty (50th), Leonardo Vonic (55th) increased the score a little later. Although Viktoria hoped for something countable after Donny Bogicevic’s goal, Essen’s Thomas Eisfeld (90th) made the decision.
Fast start in Essen with difficult times space conditions
It was a fast start in the stadium on Hafenstrasse. Possession of the ball changed at high speed, both teams quickly bridged the midfield and made noteworthy moves in the offensive – despite the difficult space conditions. The field was soaked and looked battered. Perhaps that is why both Essen and Cologne were decisive in attack and did not shy away from quick finishes.
The guests made a slightly better impression at the start. Cologne set the first exclamation mark with Becker’s volley – Essen goalkeeper Jakob Golz parried (4th). Bogicevic also kept the RWE defense line busy. He missed another good Viktoria chance early on (7th) and later narrowly missed a direct shot from the edge of the penalty area (25th).
But the Essen team had already entered the game with good opportunities. The most promising attempts came from captain Vinko Sapina, who forced Viktoria goalkeeper Ben Voll into a brilliant save with a powerful long-range shot (14th), and Vonic also did a good job. Before the break, Lucas Brumme narrowly missed the goal from distance (45′).
Double blow from RWE – Cologne overwhelmed
Essen took the momentum with them and got into the second half well. And then referee Patrick Schwengers punished a foul by Cologne’s Simon Handle on Vonic – a penalty for Essen. That was a matter for the boss, captain Sapina safely converted to give Essen the lead.
Essen then expanded its dominance. After Stefano Russo lost the ball in midfield, RWE attacker Isaiah Young was able to get going. He tried to lob against Voll, the Viktoria goalkeeper had his fingertips on it, but Vonic, who was running along, then casually headed it in.
Essen defense invites Viktoria to Connection hit a
The double blow put RWE in a very comfortable position – but Essen quickly destroyed it on its own. Because Eric Voufack’s back pass towards Golz failed, Becker intervened and set up for Bogicevic, who was able to easily push in to score.
Essen stuck with it and tried to pull the plug with a third Viktoria goal. Young missed his shot just over (66′), before Bogicevic fired another warning shot across Essen’s bow. José-Enrique Rios Alonso decisively defused the Cologne player’s attempt (78′).
RWE had to tremble a bit at times, but Joker Eisfeld, who had replaced Cedric Harenbrock in the 80th minute of the game, put the lid on things after a counterattack by Ron Berlinski, who was also substituted.
RWE visits Münster, Cologne welcomes Unterhaching
Guested on matchday 23 Red and white food at the NRW competitor from Münster in the Preußenstadion (Sunday, 1.30 p.m.). Meanwhile, Viktoria welcomes SpVgg Unterhaching for a duel (Saturday, 2 p.m.).
