1. FC Köln can look forward to almost certain relegation after a 3-1 (2-0) win at TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday (April 22, 2023). Florian Kainz (18th) with a hand penalty, Davie Selke (39th) and Jan Thielmann (90th) scored for the guests. Kasper Dolberg shortened in injury time.
With 35 points now, FC has a ten-point lead over relegation place 16. With 15 points still to be distributed, a relegation of the Domstadt team seems increasingly unrealistic. TSG Hoffenheim is completely different: The Kraichgauers are only four points ahead of the dangerous region.
Short-term referee change
Even before kick-off, the first congratulations could be expressed: Robin Braun, originally intended to be the fourth official, unexpectedly made his Bundesliga debut as a referee because Benjamin Brand, originally intended, was unable to whistle due to an allergic shock.
The teams made it easy for Braun at the beginning, there were no fouls in the first ten minutes and there were no threats in front of the goals. Cologne’s Florian Kainz tried it a little more seriously for the first time (12′).
FC take the lead with a penalty
Shortly thereafter, Braun was the center of attention: After a handball from John Anthony Brooks, the referee decided on a penalty after video evidence – Kainz converted to the cheering of the almost 8,000 FC supporters who had traveled with them. Cologne continued to defend attentively and were unlucky when Oliver Baumann made an excellent save against a Selke header in the TSG goal (32′).
The guests stayed on, but Baumann again prevented a possible second goal after a cross pass from the right. The third FC attempt finally worked: The much criticized Selke prevailed in a header duel against Kevin Akpoguma, Baumann was no longer able to prevent the impact.
TSG does not use a few chances
The hosts got off to a much better start in the second half: Angelino failed at the strong Marvin Schwäbe in the Cologne goal (47′), Eric Martel blocked Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric at the last moment (57′) and Christoph Baumgartner aimed too far to the left (61′). The best phase of TSG went by without a goal, Cologne sorted themselves better and relied on counterattacks.
Substitute Steffen Tigges missed the chance to decide (74th), on the other side Robert Skov missed the target. Anyone hoping for a final offensive by the hosts was bitterly disappointed. Thielmann made the decision on the counterattack before Dolberg provided some cosmetic results from Hoffenheim’s point of view.
Cologne at home against Freiburg
1. FC Köln will host SC Freiburg on the next matchday (Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). Hoffenheim is challenged in Leipzig at the same time.