1. FC Köln has also lost the second duel with Partizan Belgrade and has to worry about progressing in the Europa Conference League.
After the 1-0 home defeat a week ago, the team coached by Steffen Baumgart was also beaten 2-0 (0-1) at Partizan Belgrade on Thursday and is now four points behind the Serbs.
In contrast to the first leg, Cologne started again in Belgrade with the regulars Ellyes Skhiri, Jonas Hector, Timo Hübers and Benno Schmitz in the starting XI.
Another early goal for Partizan
The game started with a big fireworks display in the immediate vicinity of the stadium. The Bundesliga side started powerfully on the pitch and came up with a first chance in the person of Skhiri, which Aleksandr Popovic thwarted in the Partizan goal (5th). On the other side, Marvin Schwäbe was able to parry a shot from Ricardo Gomes (6′).
The players of Cologne and Belgrade are in a cloud of smoke
The Cologne team had more time in the game but, like in the first leg, had to concede an early goal. An unsuccessful attempt by Hübers to clear the ball became a template for Fousséni Diabaté, who used it to make it 1-0 to Partizan (15′). The home fans celebrated the opening goal with plenty of pyrotechnics, which led to thick clouds of smoke and the game being interrupted for several minutes. Cologne fans were not allowed after what happened in the opening game in Nice.
Two stoppages for pyrotechnics
After this forced break, the hosts initially controlled the action until the game was interrupted again due to the use of pyrotechnics. Referee Roy Reinshreiber sent the players into the catacombs for five minutes. Even after this interruption, the Serbs came back into the game better. Nikola Soldo thwarted a chance from Ricardo Gomes in dire need (42nd).
Cologne, on the other hand, had great problems creating chances in the ten minutes of added time. Instead, the crossbar prevented Queensy Menig from making it 2-0 (45+10).
Ricardo Gomes raises for Partizan
In the second half, Baumgart brought on Steffen Tigges for the hapless Florian Dietz. Sargis Adamyan had the first chance after the break, but his attempt ended up in the hands of Popovic (47′). A little later, Menig suffered the same fate on the other side (49′). Ricardo Gomes did better, heading in from a corner to make it 2-0 for Partizan (52′).
FC hardly found a way through Belgrade’s strong defense in the period that followed. Skhiri’s attempt from a distance went well over the goal (73′). In the final quarter of an hour, Cologne threw everything forward and made a few shots, none of which were dangerous. Instead, Belgrade saved the 2-0 sovereign over the again lush added time.
Sunday against Augsburg
On Sunday (October 16, 2022/3:30 p.m.) the Cologne team will continue in the Bundesliga with a home game against FC Augsburg.
