Home win against Elversberg: Ljubicic shoots Cologne back to the top

In a lively second division game with several VAR inserts, the 1. FC Köln happily prevailed against SV Elversberg and recaptured first place in the 2nd Bundesliga.

In the final phase, Dejan Ljubicic (81.) got the goal for 1-0 (0: 0) victory of the Cologne. Previously, a hit on both sides was withdrawn according to video evidence. After the 19th matchday, the 1st FC Köln is second in the table with 34 points. The Hamburger SV is at the top, it also has 34 points, but the better goal difference.

“The result will certainly help us to build this self -confidence“, FC coach Gerhard Struber said against over the sports show, but also stated:”There is still a lot that we can improve.“

Elversberg, who lost Elias Baum (90.+3) with yellow-red in added time, depends on 28 points after the third defeat in a row in the midfield of the table. “For us this is not a broken leg“, Coach Horst Steffen stated at the Sportschau microphone:”We have a clear identity as we want to play. We bring that to the field.“

Ljubicic with early chance for Cologne

The hosts came into the game much better. Ljubicic (2nd) gave the first shot in a lively start phase from both sides, but his Schlenzer from Halblin’s stroke stroked just above the Elversberger Tor. After almost a quarter of an hour, the SVE took over more and more ball and game control. However, the Saarlanders lacked the punch towards the gate.

In the end, both teams were neutralized until the break, with slight optical advantages for Elversberg. Both teams also started at round two. Again Cologne had the first degree through a Martel head (50th) after a corner. But then came a strong phase of the guests.

Var inserts collect two hits

Fisnik Asslani (51.) already cheered the 0: 1 after a counterattack, but in the view of the video images was whipped back due to offside. A little later, the team of coach Horst Steffen drove the next good counterattack. Maurice Neubauer (54th). Ultimately, left in the penalty area came to the ball, but only hit the outside network. Lukas Petkov (58th), who only hit the post of FC goal from half-right, was closer to it.

In the middle of this urge phase, the supposed 1: 0 for the “billy goats” fell. Linton Maina (66.) had prevailed against Lukas Pinckert on the left, hit the far corner and referee Tom Bauer first gave the goal. However, the referee checked the duel again on a hint from the Var and recognized the goal again because of a Maina thrust.

Ljubicic flows the ball to the winning goal in

The game then remained open. Cologne threw himself into the game with a lot of heart, Elversberg had the better play area. Finally, the FC rewarded itself in the final phase. Elversberg did not clear a Pacarada flank. Maina had the eye for Ljubicic at the penalty area border and the Austrian turned the ball perfectly to the lower corner of the right lower corner.

Elversberg then strengthened his efforts, but the FC defense worked against it with a lot of effort. One goal was no longer fell, but Baum received the second yellow card for a foul and had to get off the square. “It wasn’t nice“, Cologne’s goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe admitted in an interview with the sports show,”But in the end the three points count.“

Cologne has to go to Braunschweig

The 1.FC Köln will be a guest at Eintracht Braunschweig on Saturday (01.02.2025, 1 p.m.). SV Elversberg will meet Karlsruher SC on Friday (6.30 p.m.) on Friday (6.30 p.m.)