A rough carver in the defense of FC Schalke 04 has helped 1. FC Köln to an important 1-0 (1: 0) victory. As a result, the Cologne residents stay at the top of the table and once again lived up to their name as a minimalist of the 2nd Bundesliga. It was the seventh 1-0 victory since November.
Cologne’s scorer from the service, Damion Downs, used a mistake by Schalke defender Mehmet Aydin shortly before the break (43.) for the goal of the day in Müngersdorf. It was the third victory in a row that continues to keep the relegated tighter on Bundesliga course.
The Schalke are very far from that. After five away games without defeat, the view is now again towards the relegation zone.
“Good feeling” at Cologne’s coach Struber
“After this special burden this week with the cup game in Leverkusen, the boys cut everything out again”Cologne’s coach Gerhard Struber was pleased with the game at the sports show microphone, “And if you look into the future, what is possible, then we have it ourselves and that just makes us feel good.”
“We have now lost two games in a row – that annoys”said Struber’s Schalke colleague Kees van Wonderen, “We have young players who sometimes make mistakes. But I want the players to be on the pitch with courage. And I was satisfied with the second half.”
Sportschau 2nd Bundesliga Highlights, 09.02.2025 3:24 pm
Cologne and Schalke in yawn mode
The game of the two large traditional clubs, which in Cologne first met in a competitive game in the second division, had not much to offer over long distances. Cologne was apparently still in the bones against Bayer Leverkusen (2: 3 NV). FC took it very leisurely. Gate danger? None. There was no single shot in the first 30 yawn minutes. The Schalke, the top strikers Moussa Sylla (previously 13 goals), had to replace them because of muscle fiber tear, did not do much better.
It was only when Schalke keeper Justin Heekeren Linton Maina got off his legs at the center line (!) Does the first excitement. Schalke’s goalkeeper first hit the ball, so that the campaign remained without consequences.
Ninth hit for Cologne’s Damion Downs
No Cologne goal shot in the first half, so a gift for FC was needed. And Schalke’s defender Aydin provided FC when it was totally failed by a return by breast. Linton Maina intervened and put down on Downs in the five, which easily pushed in. For Downs it was the ninth goal of the season, for Maina the ninth assist league best. With a happy leadership, the Struber team went into the break.
Gerhard Struber had to change at the second half. Eric Martel, who had represented the yellow -locked Timo Hüber as captain, remained in the cabin due to injury. For him, FC’s owner came Neo Telle in the defense to his professional debut and defended on the right.
Schalke offensive too weak
The game became a little more lively in the second half, Cologne now made more speed, and again and again by Maina. Schalke, on the other hand, remained largely without great ideas and, above all, showed too little. From winter access Pape Meissa Ba, who came for Sylla for his first assignment in the starting eleven, there was nothing to be seen.
After an hour, Schalke coach Kees van Wonderen also reacted and brought three new players with Adrian Gantenbein, Ayman Barkos and Ilyes Hamache. In addition to Meissa Ba, the accident rave Aydin and Jannik Bachmann also had to get out.
That brought a little more revitalization forward in the game, but nothing more. Kenan Karaman missed the best Schalke gate opportunity, who just barely drove a header from Tomas Kalas in the 90th minute.
Cologne in Magdeburg, Schalke against Karlsruhe
For the 1. FC Köln it will take place to Magdeburg on Friday on Friday (14.02.2025, 6.30 p.m.). Schalke then meets the KSC on Sunday (1.30 p.m.).