1. FC Köln remains a team of the moment in the Bundesliga. In a thrilling duel against co-promoters Hamburger SV, the Cologne team clearly prevailed 4:1 (1:0).
The goals for FC were scored by Ragnar Ache (25th), Florian Kainz with a direct free kick (48th), Said El Mala (90th+4) and Jakub Kaminski (90th+9). Jean-Luc Dompé (61st) scored the HSV goal. HSV had to accept two dismissals in the final phase: First, Immanuel Pherai (79′) had to leave the pitch because of repeated foul play, followed four minutes later by Fabio Vieira after foul play and complaining.
The atmosphere in the sold-out stadium was brilliant after 1. FC Cologne had given FC Bayern a tough fight in the DFB Cup (1:4) during the week and only had to bow down in the second half. The people of Cologne were really proud of their FC – did they also think the carnival striped jersey that the players unpacked for the first time against HSV was great? Questionable.
FC takes advantage of a major HSV mistake
But even in a funny guise, coach Lukas Kwasniok’s protégés approached the game against fellow promoted team Hamburg absolutely seriously. The usual aggressive pace was chosen – strong in duels and with a lot of effort – which gave FC their first opportunity after six minutes: Florian Kainz took a rebound from 17 meters and missed the left post by just centimeters.
Otherwise, both initially played an even game – neither really wanted to take any risks and wanted to make the first mistake. But then that happened to the people of Hamburg. And what a! Keeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes played centrally to Albert Lokonga in the build-up and he slipped on the edge of his own penalty area – Kainz took the ball, but was denied by HSV defender Luka Vuskovic in the first attempt, but Ache poked the ball over the line from five meters to make it 1-0 (25th).
Miro Muheim (l.) and Jakub Kaminski in a duel
Cologne with a lot Confidence and good plan
A gifted goal that the Cologne team gratefully accepted. And which gave them even more self-confidence. Although HSV kept up at times and had a good opportunity to equalize through Jean-Luc Dompé in the 36th minute, FC had a significant increase in chances overall. Goalscorer Ache, Kainz again and especially Linton Maina in the 41st minute with a shot from 13 meters that just missed the goal, could have extended the result.
Even without shooting star Said El Mala, who initially had to sit on the bench after his rather average performance against Bayern, the Cologne team presented themselves more flexible, more alert and with a better game plan. Time and again – driven by the extremely hard-working Kainz in central midfield – HSV was pushed onto the defensive with flexible attacking play. The paths simply became too long for HSV’s offensive forces to be able to build up anything like pressure.
VAR intervention makes HSV angry
At the beginning of the second 45 minutes, events in Cologne-Müngersdorf came to a head. First, Marvin Schwäbe defused a shot from Lokonga from close range in the Cologne box (47th), at the other end the bell rang in the HSV goal. Kainz took the ball 19 meters in front of the goal to the right for a free kick. The veteran took a run and artfully twisted the ball into the right gable – 2-0 (48th).
But HSV reacted immediately. After an attack from the left, Fabio Vieira took the blocked ball directly from 18 meters and smashed it flat into the bottom left corner. It was the supposed direct goal that referee Daniel Schlager initially reported. But the VAR intervened. After minutes of checking, the goal was withdrawn. The referees saw a foul play by Hamburg when the goal was created.
Dompé creates tension
Everything seemed to be going well for FC – until the tireless Dompé broke the spell for the guests in the 61st minute. On the left, he placed the ball on his right foot and shot it beautifully into the far corner from 15 meters – 2-1.
Two fouls result in one yellow-red: Emmanuel Pherai.
The game now developed into a fast-paced exchange of blows. HSV saw their chance and increased their effort once again. The fight was fatal for defender Pherai, who received two yellow cards in less than 50 seconds in the 79th minute. The first after a clear foul on substitute El Mala, the second immediately afterwards after a tough effort against Kristoffer Lund – he had to leave the field. His colleague Vieira followed him just five minutes later after a foul and subsequent complaining to the referee.
Hamurg only had nine people on the pitch, but still fought back as best they could. Twelve minutes of injury time documented that there was really something going on in the duel between the two promoted teams. In the fourth minute of extra time, Hamburg received the knockout: After a long throw from Schwäbe, Kaminski came through strongly on the right, crossed to El Mala and the Cologne crowd favorite made it 3-1.
A little later, Kaminski went one better: after another counterattack, he made it 4-1 (90th + 9th).
Cologne in Gladbach, HSV against Dortmund
An important neighborhood duel is next on the agenda for FC: Cologne will be guests at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday evening (6.30 p.m.). HSV welcomes Borussia Dortmund on Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m.).