The transfer story about Randal Kolo Muani still annoyed Eintracht Frankfurt, but an access made them forget: Niels Nkounkou prevented a defeat against the 1-1 (0-1) on Sunday (September 3rd, 2023) with a late goal 1. FC Cologne.
The past few days have left sores on Eintracht Frankfurt fans. Before the game against 1. FC Köln, they spread out a large poster that said: “Coal Muani – Money does not change character, it only makes it visible.Randal Kolo Muani wowed SGE fans last season with his goals, then hurt deeply with his strike ahead of the €95m move to Paris St Germain – and now it was time to do without Restart Striker.
Poor chances in the first half – Cologne takes the lead
Omar Marmoush should now be the man for the goals at Frankfurt. The game against Cologne was a very thankless start to this project. As expected, an intense game developed, but for a long time it had no sporting highlights. Frankfurt was dominant, but the attacks were not effective. Dina Ebimbe had the first two chances (24th/29th), but should not have caused a stir among the people of Cologne.
There was then in the final phase of the first half on the other side – and again the Frankfurt fans had to suffer. Eric Martel dribbled into the penalty area on the right and was brought down by Philipp Max – there were penalties. Florian Kainz took on this task and pushed the ball up into the middle to give Cologne the lead (43′).
Frankfurt through Marmoush and Skhiri with top chances
Marmoush had his first big opportunity just after the break. Ex-Cologne player Ellyes Skhiri put the ball through, but Martel threw himself into the Frankfurt striker’s shot at the last moment (53′). After the following corner, Leart Paqarada’s header prevented Skhiri from equalizing on his first meeting with Cologne.
It was the first phase in which Eintracht played purposefully forward and was able to put the opposing defense under pressure. But it wasn’t too long. As a result, the Cologne team succeeded in disrupting and fending off the attacks by the Frankfurt team earlier. Coach Steffen Baumgart’s team got the game under control much better.
Nkounkou makes Frankfurt happy
But shortly before the end, a Frankfurt access made all the frustration forgotten. Niels Nkounkou caused sudden happiness with a full left-footed shot and scored the equalizer for Eintracht (87th). Dino Toppmöller’s team had already fought for a point in the last few minutes at Mainz 05 – now the Frenchman, who only switched shortly before the end of the transfer period, made sure of a repetition.
Frustration on the other hand, of course, among the people of Cologne – who at least managed to get the draw over time and thus the first point of the season. There had been unfortunate defeats at Borussia Dortmund (0:1) and against VfL Wolfsburg (1:2) and now luck was not on the Baumgart squad’s side either. But at least the zero is gone.
Cologne welcomes TSG, Eintracht in Bochum
The Cologne hosts TSG Hoffenheim on Matchday 4 (Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). Frankfurt is challenged three hours later in Bochum.