Mainz better in the first round
Before the game started, it was worth taking a look at the stands: The active fan scene celebrated their return to the packed Cologne stadium with a big choreography in the south stand. In terms of sport, both teams started rather cautiously. In the first quarter of an hour, the penalty areas were “dead” – until suddenly Burkardt dared to take a shot and, of all things, the FSV loan Kilian deflected it into his own goal.
It took FC around 20 minutes to get into the game. Ondrej Duda had the first chance to shoot, but aimed too centrally. The guests looked more dangerous overall – Jean-Paul Boetius failed at Marvin Schwäbe in the Cologne goal (25th). The hosts, on the other hand, found it difficult – as in the last few games – to create scoring opportunities. Anthony Modeste headed a cross from the left wide of the goal just before the break (41′).
FC with a strong comeback
After the break, it was Julian Chabot who gave Mainz the second goal: the Cologne central defender defended a long ball on Onisiwo with poor positional play, which hit the top left corner from a tight angle. FC replied immediately: After a corner, Modeste extended to Skhiri, who headed in.
The goal unleashed new energy on the pitch and in the stands – the FC, whipped up by the loud fans, were suddenly there and pushed for the equaliser. And was rewarded: Ljubicic netted a powerful shot after winning the ball high on the top left. After a corner kick, Kilian of all people got the dust and caused the volume in the stadium to explode. The defender, who is now returning to Mainz in the summer, didn’t hold back when he cheered.
Cologne with a tailwind into the derby
Cologne now played like they were in a frenzy, while the chants of the European Cup echoed in the stadium: Modeste and Ljubicic narrowly missed the home side’s fourth goal (85′) when they had a double chance. Marcus Ingvartsen missed the big chance to equalize on the other side in added time.
The billy goats are now going into the Rhenish derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach next Saturday at 6:30 p.m. with a lot of tailwind and could take the next step on the way to Europe. Mainz welcome VfB Stuttgart three hours earlier and, with 38 points and five points behind seventh-placed Cologne, are also still in the running for a possible place in the European Cup.
Source: red/sid/dpa