1. FC Köln celebrated a respectable success in the Bundesliga relegation battle. The Rhinelanders made up a 2-0 deficit at Eintracht Frankfurt on René Wagner’s debut and ultimately played 2-2. Said El Mala had to be substituted in the final stages.
In the 82nd minute, El Mala in Frankfurt couldn’t continue with the score at 1:2. Luca Waldschmidt came into the game for him. Shortly afterwards, Alessio Castro-Montes (83′) gave 1. FC Köln a point and ensured a conciliatory debut for head coach Wagner.
“I’ve gotten this question several times now. I just can’t say anything about Said right now,” the “Express” quoted the Cologne coach as saying about El Mala. According to the newspaper, the left winger was said to have been “caught on his right ankle”. The 19-year-old is his team’s top scorer with ten goals. In the thrilling 2-2 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt, El Mala had no sense of success. Wagner was satisfied with the team performance at the press conference.
“Rollercoaster ride” for 1. FC Köln
“We had good chances in the first half. After that, Frankfurt showed what qualities they have. We could have defended the situations better. We came back and showed what we have been working on in the last two weeks,” analyzed Lukas Kwasniok’s successor.
Wagner spoke of a “roller coaster ride”. “A big compliment to the team for how we came back. I’m proud of the boys. We’ll take the point with us,” said the 37-year-old.
1. FC Cologne before weeks of truth
Six game days before the end of the season, 1. FC Cologne is in 15th place in the Bundesliga with 27 points. The lead over the relegation place, where St. Pauli is, is still two points.
The coming weeks are groundbreaking for the Rhinelanders. Next Sunday (3:30 p.m.) 1. FC Köln welcomes the 14th from Bremen, on April 17th (8:30 p.m.) Effzeh will be a guest at FC St. Pauli.
