Viktoria Cologne celebrated the fifth victory in series in the 3rd league and continued to work on the promotion places.
The Viktoria prevailed on Friday evening with 1-0 (1-0) against SV Waldhof Mannheim on Friday evening and equated as fourth in the table with the third in the table 1. FC Saarbrücken. Mannheim, which remained victorious in the sixth game in a row, hovers as table 15. Continue in the risk of relegation. Serhat-Semih Güler (39th) scored the decisive goal for Cologne by penalty.
Cueto increases Viktoria from now on
Shortly before the game, Cologne announced another new addition: left wing Lucas Cueto returns to Viktoria. The 28-year-old and native of Cologne already played a season for the club in 2020.
Cueto was not in the starting eleven, but coach Olaf Janßen made two changes after the 3-2 victory in Dresden: Tobias Eisenhuth and Niklas May started for the Said El Mala (horse kiss) and Robin Velasco.
Barely Goal opportunities – Cologne gives a penalty to the leadership
In the initial phase, the Cologne gave the guests the ball and lurked on the counterattack, but neither the Viktoria nor the Waldhof were able to play out opportunities against well -ordered defense chains. Cologne’s top scorer Güler (12th) grabbed the ball after an air hole by Mannheim’s Malte Karkreis on the middle circle and almost pulled away, but Lukas Klünter grabbed the Viktoria attacker.
After the first 15 minutes, Cologne also became more active on the offensive. Viktoria had the first noteworthy chance from Güler (18th). A cross from May from the left found the attacker on the second post, but Güler could no longer bring the ball to the goal with a stretched leg. For Mannheim, Janne Sietan (24th) tried with a low shot from the edge of the box, which Cologne keeper Dudu had no problems.
In total, both teams radiated little goal – up to the 39th minute. During an air duel in the Waldhof penalty room, Mannheim’s Klünter pushed the elbow in his opponent Eisenhuth, referee Martin Wilke immediately decided on penalty. Güler competed and hit the corner at the bottom right of the 1-0 lead.
Mannheim works, but remains lucky
In the second half, the Mannheimers challenged a penalty after Nicklas Shipnoski (52nd) had fallen in a duel with Cologne Christoph Greger. But referee Wilke immediately waved off, Shipnoski acted too hesitantly in front of the goal.
The forest courtyard remained brave and continued to play forward, but with 20 goals – together with Alemannia Aachen – the weakest offensive in the league did not act precisely enough in the last third of the field and without sparkling ideas. Mannheim had a good opportunity after a cross from Arianit Ferati (86.), but both Kennedy Okpala and Maximilian Thalhammer missed the second post. Mannheim pushed to equalize until the end of the game, but remained lucky.
Already last week Mannheim against FC Ingolstadt had not gone beyond a 0-0 despite a shot on the goal of 20: 1 and a longer surcharge.
Viktoria now around 1860
The next Saturday (4.30 p.m.) continues with a home game against TSV 1860 Munich. Mannheim receives the SC Verl.
Our sources:
WDR sports editorial team
