1. FC Cologne is still waiting for its first win after the fourth matchday of the Bundesliga and lost to the effective TSG 1899 Hoffenheim after individual mistakes.
After the unfortunate 1:3 (0:2) against 1899 Hoffenheim on Saturday (September 16th, 2023), FC is still stuck in the bottom third of the Bundesliga table with just one point. Hoffenheim, on the other hand, is happy about nine points and a dream goal from Florian Grillitsch, the Austrian scored from 50 meters away to make it 0-2 (28th).
Previously, Andrei Kramaric The team took the lead with the fastest goal of the current season (1st), Maximilian Beier (52nd) increased the lead with a strong shot. Davie Selke (61′) shortened the score for Cologne, who lost Rasmus Carstensen with a yellow-red card in stoppage time (90’+1).
Cologne coach Baumgart praises his team
Despite the third defeat in the fourth game of the season, FC coach Steffen Baumgart was not entirely dissatisfied. “I think the boys have done well and are on the right track. We’re just not able to reward ourselves at the moment.”
Hoffenheim Coach In the Sportschau interview, Pellegrino Matarazzo said he was happy about the early goal, but not about the time afterwards. “Unfortunately, instead of doing more, we did less, were too reactive and didn’t move enough, especially when we had the ball.” Looking at the result, Matarazzo said: “We scored three goals in Cologne, not everyone can do that. And now three wins in a row, that’s good.”
Hoffenheim’s Kramaric scores after 50 seconds
Hoffenheim’s attack routine Kramaric had taken advantage of two defensive errors after 50 seconds, while the fans celebrated the 100th anniversary of the stadium in Müngersdorf with huge choreography and songs. Leart Paqarada attacked flanker Pavel Kaderabek too hesitant, Benno Schmitz didn’t hit the ball correctly when trying to clear it and Kramaric shot dryly from close range.
The goal was a wake-up call for Cologne, Selke narrowly missed the Hoffenheim goal immediately afterwards. FC was the more active team with promising approaches.
Hoffenheim: Grillitsch with a twist and a bit of luck
But Hoffenheim scored the next goal again, again after Cologne errors. In trouble due to a bad pass from Denis Huseinbasic, goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe wanted to clear well in front of the goal, but played the ball with a slide into the middle. There, on the halfway line, Grillitsch shot towards the empty goal and scored Effet and a little luck in the top right corner.
After the break a similar picture: Cologne struggled, Hoffenheim scored. 1899 attacker Wout Weghorst saved twice, first spectacularly with a header on the line, and shortly afterwards with his arm from a shot by Florian Kainz. Referee Daniel Siebert decided not to award a hand penalty because Weghorst was in a straddle and wanted to catch himself with his outstretched arm.
Beier hits the crossbar for TSG
Hoffenheim, on the other hand, exploited almost every chance, including through Beier. From 18 meters in a half-left position, he shot the ball spectacularly under the crossbar, with Schwäbe still having his fingertips on it.
Cologne’s fighting spirit was not broken despite the renewed blow to the neck; Selke’s goal from a tight angle through the legs of Oliver Baumann was deserved. FC increased the risk and brought in Luca Waldschmidt, among others, who was surprisingly not in the starting line-up. The committed Cologne team came up with further dangerous shots, but didn’t score again. Hoffenheim could also have improved on counterattack opportunities.
Hoffenheim against Union, Cologne in Bremen
On the 5th matchday, TSG will be challenged in Berlin (Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). Cologne will also play away on the same day in the evening game against Bremen (6.30 p.m.).