Cologne (AP) – Before Marco Rose could get into the embarrassment of having to comment on the title fight, which has probably finally been lost, his friend Steffen Baumgart jumped to his side.
“They’ve won six of their last nine games, drawn twice and only got their ass kicked off by Leverkusen, which can happen anytime,” said the 1. FC Köln coach after the 1-1 draw against Roses Borussia Dortmund: “It will I did everything too badly. The team found itself, made a development. I think they are playing a good season.”
Missed chance to stay with FC Bayern
In fact, BVB is the best team in the second half of the season. But after two 1-0 victories against Arminia Bielefeld and Mainz 05, Dortmund now missed the chance to stay with FC Bayern. It’s six points again, the much worse goal difference is a seventh. Seven games are still to come, including the direct duel in Munich.
After the draw in Cologne, Rose spoke of a “fair result” and praised his team. “We’ve had three intense games this English week,” he said. “The lads gave it their all again. In terms of attitude and attitude, I have to give praise. Even though we’re disappointed that we didn’t win.”
Haaland visibly frustrated
That was mainly goalscorer Erling Haaland. Since he did not give any interviews after the game, it is not known whether his visible frustration during and after the game was more about his own performance, his missed great opportunity in the 55th minute or probably the last missed opportunity for the championship. The Norwegian’s frustration was “already noticed in the game,” said Cologne central defender Luca Kilian, who grew up in BVB’s youth and is still a self-confessed Dortmund fan today.
“He wasn’t really in the game, didn’t get that many balls,” said Kilian and added with a laugh: “As a team we defended him well, so it’s nice to see him sitting on the bench so offended.” Haaland, who was substituted in the 87th minute after two months in his starting eleven comeback, stayed there for a while after the final whistle, shaking his head and crossing his arms like a defiant child.