1. FC Köln fought to a 1-1 draw at VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga and collected a point in the relegation battle. The goals on Saturday (January 27th, 2024) were scored by Faride Alidou (38th minute) and Kevin Paredes (40th). The game was interrupted for a long time due to an injury to the referee team, and a spectator helped out the referees as the fourth official.
With the point, FC improved to 16th place in the relegation zone and moved past 1. FSV Mainz 05 with twelve points. However, he still has the catch-up game against Union Berlin up his sleeve. Wolfsburg is in the middle of the table with 22 points and is gradually losing sight of the European Cup places.
“I think the team gave everything”said VfL coach Niko Kovac after the game to the sports show, “The team does and does. But I’m sorry if I have to repeat myself – and I’m getting on my own nerves with this – they just don’t reward themselves.” “I think we showed a good performance, especially in defense”FC coach Timo Schultz was satisfied with the sports show in the interview, “We have to use the counterattacks better, then maybe we can do more. But we have to work for that first.”
Spectator steps in as fourth official
The most excitement in the first round was around linesman Thorben Siewer: He was accidentally hit in the face by a clearing attempt from Cologne’s Max Finkgräfe from a short distance and was unable to continue. Because the referee subsequently had to be represented by fourth official Nicolas Winter, a spectator from the stands took over Winter’s role between the two coaches’ benches.
32-year-old Tobias Krull, who works as a goalkeeper and sporting director for Wolfsburg’s neighboring club MTV Gifhorn in the regional soccer league and has a referee’s license, took over. “I’m glad that Tobias stepped in relatively promptly and quickly”said referee Sören Storks. “He did it really, really well, very calmly, very calmly. That’s not that easy, especially when the game gets a little more heated.”
Inka Blumensaat, sports show, January 27th, 2024 6:43 p.m
Assistant referee Siewer was taken to a Wolfsburg hospital on Saturday after the game. This was confirmed by a VfL spokeswoman at the press conference in the evening and referee Storks in a Sky interview. “He is doing well under the circumstances. He has been taken to the hospital and will likely remain there overnight for observation,” Storks said.
Wolfsburg immediately equalizes the deficit
Still without Krull in a new role, the spectators saw the hosts’ first big chance, which Timo Hübers was just able to defuse. After that nothing happened until the break, after which the Cologne team struck: Alidou cleverly headed in, but FC only celebrated briefly – because Paredes completed a quick combination without any problems less than 120 seconds later.
After the results of the last few weeks, it was clear to both teams that they weren’t necessarily full of self-confidence, a lot of things went wrong – but FC in particular really wanted to and gave everything. And so the spectators didn’t see a high-class, but at least exciting game in which Cologne’s Jan Thielmann put the ball just centimeters past the Wolfsburg goal in the final phase (82nd). It was even closer at the other end for Paredes, who hit the post (89′).
Cologne welcomes Frankfurt, “Wolves” against TSG
The Cologne team will be hosting Eintracht Frankfurt in the top game next matchday (Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.). VfL will face Hoffenheim one day later (3:30 p.m.).