The 1. FC Köln loses RB Leipzig for the first time under Lukas Kwasniok. The bankruptcy shows that the FC also holds against top teams-under one condition.
What would have been if Ragnar Ache had adjusted his left foot a little better than Sebastian Sebulonen’s flank flew to the second post in the 61st minute? The striker of 1st FC Köln brought the feat to put the ball past the goal from three meters. A huge opportunity that should have resulted in 2: 3.
The FC would have been back. And that in a phase in which the billy goats against RB Leipzig were overloaded. At that time, of course, the hosts made two goals difference. And yet the FC ran with courage, but not desperate and certainly not headless. If – if – with Aches chance, the chance of points for Cologne in Leipzig flew past the goal.
A defeat always feels bad. Especially when it is the first in one season. After all, FC managed to delay this moment until the fourth matchday. When the promoters were a strong performance, especially since the opponents were previously called Mainz, Freiburg and Wolfsburg. And even Leipzig would have been to beat that Saturday evening. Not because of an RB weakness, but because of a Cologne strength.
The FC had once again put on a clear plan to not only combat the opponent, but also to play. The goal by Jan Thielmann was proof enough. Vertical game, variable position game, good counter protection and a mixture of flanks and passports – Kwasniok had intended to be afraid of not having to be afraid of his opponent.
The FC was inferior in the individual quality of the individual players, but in large parts of the game but a team tactical at eye level. The intensity was right, the match plan was right, in addition there was self -confidence from the good start of the season. What was missing was the discipline in the decisive game sequences. FC gave too many standards, defended them badly and thus nullified the game itself.
So the FC can take an important teaching back to Cologne: the billy goats in the Bundesliga are also competitive against top teams. But the players are only allowed to make a few mistakes. The quality in the squad is right. The quality of the plans is right with which the coaching team sends the team into the games. If the FC holds this level and at the same time keeps the error rate low, the 1. FC Köln will have nothing to do with relegation this season.