Thanks to a strong second half, 1. FC Köln prevailed against Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga and thwarted BVB’s plans for the top spot.
1. FC Köln won on Saturday (01.10.2022) in a gripping game after being 1-0 down at the break 3-2 against Borussia Dortmund and botched BVB’s possible jump to the top of the table in the Bundesliga after the 8th matchday.
Julian Brandt (31st minute) gave Dortmund the lead. Florian Kainz (53′), Steffen Tigges (56′) and Dejan Ljubicic (77′) turned the game around for Cologne after the break. BVB was only able to shorten the lead after an own goal by Cologne defender Benno Schmitz (78′).
Dortmund misses numerous chances
FC started strong: Florian Kainz missed the first goal after four minutes, Steffen Tigges stumbled a great chance (10th). As the game went on, BVB created more chances: Donyell Malen (19th/28th/42nd) and Karim Adeyemi (24th/34th) missed a goal. Brandt worried – after a nice pass he was free in front of FC goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe and pushed in the bottom right.
At the break, Cologne was lucky not to be further behind – and still playing with eleven men. After 19 minutes there was only a yellow card for a rude foul by Ondrej Duda on former Cologne player Salih Özcan. From FC there was rarely anything offensive after the strong start: Kainz had the best chance (24th).
Cologne trumps after the break
After the change of sides, Cologne came out of the dressing room better again. Duda was blocked at the last second, Linton Maina didn’t aim well enough (47′). Six minutes later, the hosts were rewarded twice for the effort: Jonas Hector used Maina on the left – Kainz converted his well-considered cross pass into the middle. Just 120 seconds later, Tigges headed a corner into the net.
BVB took back control of the game, Cologne relied on the counterattack. And they had it all: Substitute Florian Dietz only hit the inside post (70th). Two minutes later, Ljubicic made the hosts celebrate – the Austrian flicked the ball from the edge of the penalty area into the far corner.
Schmitz’s own goal after a cross heralded an exciting final phase: Ellyes Skhiri, substitute Eric Martel and Dietz again failed because of BVB goalkeeper Alexander Meyer. Dortmund pressed in the final minutes, but no longer came dangerously in front of the goal.
Both teams challenged internationally
Before their next tasks in the Bundesliga, Cologne and Dortmund must first compete internationally. On Matchday 3 of the Conference League, 1. FC Köln host Serbian club Partizan Belgrade (Thursday, October 6th, 2022 at 9:00 p.m.). Borussia Dortmund has to play away in Seville in the Champions League (Wednesday, October 5th, 2022 at 9 p.m.).
In the league, Dortmund receive the record champions from Munich for the top game (Saturday, October 8th, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.). A day later, the billy goats go to the derby in Gladbach (3:30 p.m.).