The 1. FC Köln only comes to a draw with a strong SpVgg Greuther Fürth and misses the possible leap to the top of the table. In the end, the Cologne residents struggle with their awarded opportunities – and with an unspecified penalty.
At the start of the 29th matchday, the Cologne team reached a 1-1 at SpVgg Greuther Fürth and thus left the steep template of league leaders Hamburger SV, which lost to Braunschweig. Cologne, now with 51 points, was able to shorten the gap to the HSV to one point.
Noel Futkeu brought Fürth in the lead in the 12th minute, Luca Waldschmidt scored shortly before the break whistle (45.+1) from the penalty point.
Cologne struggles with Var – controversial entry against downs
A big excitement was the controversial getting against Cologne’s Damion Downs shortly before the final whistle, which was torn down at the end of the penalty area of Fürth’s Marco John. The possible penalty whistle failed to materialize, as well as the certainly displayed review on the part of the var.
“A clear foul. It wasn’t easy for the referee, but the Var should have seen it”said FC coach Gerhard Struber in the Sportschau interview. “Why he doesn’t intervene is in the stars.” In the end, according to Struber, it was a just tie: “We had our chances that we did not use. We have to chalice that. But Fürth also had good opportunities. That’s why we have to be satisfied with one point here.”
Sportschau, April 11th, 2025 9:10 p.m.
Fürth’s coach Jan Siewert was happy about “A significant increase in performance” Compared to the bad appearance in the previous week in Darmstadt. “We showed what we can do”according to Siewert on the sports show microphone. The team must now show Konstanz. “The struggle for relegation continues, the league is still totally tight.”
Futkeu shocked FC with early lead
After the sobering defeat against Hertha, who meant the loss of the championship lead, Cologne was recognizable from the kick -off away. Imad Rondic left two good chances in the first ten minutes. Fürth did better afterwards: Roberto Massimo prevailed on the right side and flanked perfectly to the five -meter room, Joel Schmied came too late against Futkeu, who put the ball under the crossbar.
The Cologne team looked struck after the deficit – and further susceptible: After a free kick by Julian Green, Massimo missed the big chance of the second goal, Marvin Schwäbe parried from a short distance.
Fürth helps Cologne back into the game
Cologne in the game structure with lots of inaccuracies, it was only due to a Fürth inattentiveness once again it became dangerous: Tim Lemperle Lechste Noah Loosli off the ball on the corner of the penalty area and served Luca Waldschmidt, Fürth’s keeper Nahuel Noll steered the ball around the post.
Loosli also played an unfortunate role in the Cologne compensation, Fürth’s central defender came too late against Julian Pauli broken through and took him off his legs. Referee Patrick Alt immediately pointed to the point. Waldschmidt remained nervous, sent keeper Noll into the wrong corner, Cologne was back in the game.
Cologne after half -time with more risk – and with Downs and Uth
Cologne took more risk after the change of sides, with Downs and Dejan Ljubicic two fresh offensive forces came. Lemperle immediately initiated the chance to take the lead with a strong solo run: Jan Thielmann’s shot from the penalty area boundary rustled half a meter above the box. After just under an hour, Lemperle himself had the huge chance on his foot, prevailed against Joshua Quarhie on the right area of the penalty area, but then mashed.
Cologne’s coach relied on further creative impulses, brought Mark Uth after an hour. The long-injured veteran almost had a dream debut: wonderfully free from Downs, Uth aimed at the short corner, Fürth’s keeper Noll saved with a strong reflex.
The game remained extremely entertaining because Fürth quickly bridged the midfield and countered dangerously. Futkeu and Felix Klaus (68th) awarded a double chance. A quarter of an hour before the end, Jomaine Consbruch had the 2-1 on his foot for Fürth, Swabia prevented the deficit with foot defense.
Hot final phase – also Fürth with huge opportunities
The game remained completely open, into the final phase: Ljubicic (78th) left the next chance with a direct acceptance from a promising, central position. Six minutes before the final whistle, the Cologne fans started the goal celebration: Downs extended a cross from the right side to the post. Cologne’s youngster was clearly clutched and hindered from behind when John was shot – referee Alt made the campaign unpunished.
In injury time, however, the Cologneers were lucky again – or were once more able to thank their strong keeper Swabian, who thwarted the last major chance by Dennis Srbeny.
Fürth in Karlsruhe, Cologne against Münster
Cologne plays on the 30th matchday on Easter Sunday (1.30 p.m.) at home against Prussia Münster, Fürth will compete at the Karlsruher SC at the same time.