BVB wins in Cologne and stays ahead – drama in Darmstadt

Borussia didn’t have any major problems in the away game at 1. FC Köln and clearly prevailed. The hosts cut an unhappy figure. Freiburg decides its game in the final phase.

Mandatory task fulfilled: Borussia Dortmund maintained their connection to the top group of the Bundesliga with a 4-0 (1-0) win at 1. FC Köln. Donyell Malen with a brace (12th, 61st), Niclas Füllkrug (58th / penalty kick) and Youssoufa Moukoko (90th + 2) ensured the clear success of the black and yellow on Saturday afternoon of the 18th matchday. The “Effzeh” even had a decisive influence on the game at times, but did nothing to convert his chances to score. BVB, on the other hand, is different, as this victory means they remain fifth in the table with 33 points and have not allowed the gap to the top group to increase.

BVB had their first big chance in the 4th minute – and returnee Jadon Sancho was involved straight away. The Englishman fed Julian Brandt, whose shot from 18 meters bounced past Marvin Schwäbe, but Füllkrug stumbled as he followed up. Half a minute before the planned end of the mood boycott, the score was 0-1: Because Linton Maina wasn’t paying attention, Malen was allowed to shoot in unhindered from twelve meters after a corner from Brandt.

After this early lead, Dortmund were once again very deep, as in previous games, and left almost the entire game to Cologne. However, the guests repeatedly pushed the Cologne team onto the wings, from where the crosses mostly came to nothing without a nominal striker after the failures of Mark Uth, Davie Selke and Luca Waldschmidt. Meanwhile, Dortmund continued to have the better chances. Either through one of the rare relief attacks like from Füllkrug (33rd) or from standards like in the case of Thomas Meunier (37th).

After the break, Cologne had a great chance to equalize, Jan Thielmann, but he was denied by Gregor Kobel at Cologne’s first notable opportunity. Then BVB followed up, with strong help from “Effzeh”. Rasmus Carstensen was clumsy in the challenge against Sancho, who had hardly been seen since his assist in the early stages, but he accepted the gift and Füllkrug safely converted. The Cologne team now threw everything forward too quickly, the second winter signing Ian Maatsen sent Malen steep, who ran 40 meters alone towards the goal and finished safely. Moukoko, who was rumored to be courted by Cologne in the summer and winter up until the transfer ban, was, as in Darmstadt, the joker at the end.

Thanks to Vincenzo Grifo and Roland Sallai, SC Freiburg secured the home win they had hoped for at the start of the second half of the Bundesliga. The Freiburg team won the entertaining Baden duel with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 3:2 (1:0) and thus maintained their place in the European Cup.

In his 250th competitive game for Freiburg, Grifo shone as the preparer of Lucas Höler’s goal (36th minute) and as the goalscorer. With a fine move, the offensive player made it 2-0 (55th) in front of 33,600 spectators.

In the turbulent second half, however, that wasn’t enough for success: Wout Weghorst (57′) and Maximilian Beier (77′) equalized the score. But Sallai still let the hosts celebrate (85th). Shortly before, defender Manuel Gulde had seen yellow-red for the sports club (82nd). With their success, Freiburg extended their lead in the table over their Baden rivals to four points.

Eintracht Frankfurt gave up victory in a disjointed Hessen derby against SV Darmstadt 98. Coach Dino Toppmöller’s team lost a 2-0 lead in the Bundesliga with a 2-2 (1-0) draw at the bottom of the table.