Maue’s draw: Cologne and Düsseldorf disappoint in the Rhein derby

A boring Rhein derby between the 1. FC Köln and Fortuna Düsseldorf has not found a winner for long distances.

In front of 50,000 fans in Cologne, Florian Kainz (67th) brought FC in the lead at 1-1, Isak Johannesson (90th) equalized with a penalty.

Cologne loses Table leadership

The “billy goats” have to leave the top of the table to Hamburger SV, they are second with 41 points. Fortuna has 38 points and remains fifth.

Three series held. The Cologne residents have been unbeaten at home since the end of October, Düsseldorf has been undefeated for six games. And Fortuna has to wait for a derby victory in Cologne – the last one has existed in 1989 in the Bundesliga.

Already in the first leg in Düsseldorf in September the Fortuna only equalized to the then happy draw in the fifth minute of stoppage time. “I think we didn’t necessarily deserve it in the first leg as it is today,” said Düsseldorf coach Daniel Thioune after the final whistle in the Sportschau interview. “My team was very disciplined and defended very, very well.”

Pure boredom in the first round

At the beginning, both teams were to look at the tension, both of which tried not to make a mistake. It was only in the 18th minute that there was the first serious chance – for the Cologne. Linton Maina came to the ball in the penalty area and immediately finished from an acute angle and half -right position. Fortuna goalkeeper Florian Kastenmeier was quickly down and captured the leather.

Just five minutes later, the keeper steered a shot from Dejan Ljubicic around the post. No question: FC became stronger. The “Geißbock-Elf” had more of the game and worked on the lead goal, while the Fortuna hoped for counterattacks and switching situations. Overall, however, it was an eventless first half, 0-0 we went into the break.

Downs also does not bring any swing

In the second half, none of this changed. The Cologne team at least tried to play the game, the guests were primarily limited to the defensive. More than a few half chances didn’t jump out.

In the 56th minute, the Cologne fans put all their hopes for Damion Downs, who came into play for Imad Rondić, and Luca Waldschmidt (for Mathias Oleses) had previously been substituted. But fan favorite Downs (nine goals) also brought no momentum.

Kainz meets Cologne’s leadership

With the first really nice move of the game, the Cologne team deservedly took the lead. Maina was able to march on the left with a lot of pace to the baseline, his clever pass into the back sank the completely free -standing kainz.

For his trainer Gerhard Struber, Kainz ‘appearance was not only the best of the season because of the goal: “Kainzi helped us in many ways today. The goal he did was only the Tüpferl on the I”said Struber in the Sportschau interview. “He has developed a lot of control and a lot of dominance from his sixth role.”

Düsseldorf watches

After that, the game picked up at least a little. The duels were led more intensively and heated and the Fortuna actually showed up in the penalty area of ​​the Cologne.

In the 74th minute there was also the first chance for the guests, but Timo Hüber’s blocked the shot of Dzenan Pejcinovics, who might even vobei to goalkeeper Marvin Swabia would have landed in the goal. And a little later the Cologne team were in luck when Vincent Vehij only put a ball on the crossbar.

Blacksmith with an inexplicable dropout

But the Düsseldorf print got bigger and then the Cologne -based Joël Schmied had a dropout when he played the ball in the penalty area by hand. Isak Johannesson converted the due penalty.

Cologne in Karlsruhe, Düsseldorf against Fürth

Cologne will travel to the KSC (01.03.2025, 8.30 p.m.) next weekend on Carnival Cam Day). Düsseldorf welcomes the team from Fürth (6.30 p.m.) on Friday.