It was supposed to be a football festival, but fan riots overshadowed the start of 1. FC Köln in the Conference League at OGC Nice on Thursday (September 8th, 2022). The game could only be kicked off 55 minutes later than planned. In the end, Cologne had to settle for a point despite a strong first half. Both teams separated 1:1 (0:1).
Steffen Tigges gave Cologne the lead after 19 minutes. In the 62nd minute, Andy Delort converted a hand penalty to equalize.
Thielmann misses several chances
FC started the game powerfully and caused problems for the French, especially with high pressing. After winning the ball, the Cologne team switched quickly and had chances early on. The energetic Jan Thielmann had several chances to take the lead (9th, 12th, 14th).
After 17 minutes, Nice announced for the first time. FC goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe had no problems with Gaetan Labore’s long-range shot.
And just two minutes later, the people of Cologne were celebrating. After Dejan Ljubicic first hit the post (18th), Tigges pushed a cross from Thielmann over the line from a few meters in the 19th minute. For Tigges it was the first competitive goal after moving from Dortmund to Cologne.
Schwäbe saves against Delort
Cologne continued to dominate the game afterwards, but failed to score the second goal. Again it was Thielmann who put the ball just wide of the goal with his heel (28th). It was almost 1-1, but Schwäbe also saved against Andy Delort, who appeared free in front of the Cologne box after a pass from Labore. So FC went into the dressing room with a narrow but deserved lead.
Cologne acted much more defensively at the beginning of the second half. Nice was now the game-determining team. In the 54th minute, Schwäbe was challenged again when he steered Delort’s header over the goal.
Delort scores from eleven yards
In the 62nd minute, however, Schwäbe was also defeated. Referee Luis Miguel Branco Godinho pointed to the penalty spot after the ball caught Timo Hübers, who was in the wall, from a French free-kick. Delort hit the center with a powerful shot.
FC almost fell behind just a minute later, but Laborde only hit the crossbar after a pass from Delort (63′). Almost immediately, FC had their first chance in the second half. Substitute Linton Maina was denied by Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka (64′).
Schwäbe holds the point
In the shooting phase it was an open game. Both Nice and FC were looking for a way forward. Nice had the best chance. In the 84th minute, Laborde was free to head in the penalty area. But Schwäbe held the point for Cologne.
For 1. FC Köln, the Bundesliga continues next Sunday (September 11, 2022, 3:30 p.m.) with a home game against Union Berlin. The next opponent in the Conference League is next Thursday (September 15, 2022, 9 p.m.) 1. FC Slovacko from the Czech Republic.