In the Bundesliga, 1. FC Köln has dealt with FC Schalke 04 after an early red card. On the first day of the new season, Cologne won 3-1 (0-0).
The Cologne opening goal on Saturday (07.08.2022) was scored by Luca Kilian (49th). A total of three VAR appearances also led to decisions for Cologne: a disallowed goal by Schalke (10th), a red card against Dominick Drexler (35th) and a subsequent goal by Florian Kainz (64th). Marius Bülter scored the goal for Schalke (76′), but Dejan Ljubicic put the lid on (80′).
Schröder sees Schalke “disadvantaged” by VAR
“We have been disadvantaged”, Schalke sports director Rouven Schröder later complained to DAZN, especially with regard to the dismissal. He was annoyed that from the video assistant “Corrected decisions that were not clearly wrong decisions” had been.
Cologne confirm Modeste change before Schalke game
Even before kick-off there was news that directly affected the game. 1. FC Köln confirmed that there are strikers Anthony Modest moves to Borussia Dortmund to help him who is suffering from testicular cancer Sebastien Haller to replace. The medical check is scheduled for Monday. Debutant Florian Dietz was in the starting XI for Modeste.
Zalazar direct acceptance hits but doesn’t count
It was an intense start. Promoted Schalke had made something. The full-backs Thomas Ouwejan and Cédric Brunner stood tall, Schalke didn’t retreat after losing the ball and put Cologne under pressure early on. The FC had problems.
And then the team of coach Frank Kramer cheered. A free kick jumped at Rodrigo Zalazar’s feet, his direct acceptance was deflected and hit the corner. However, referee Robert Schröder checked the scene on screen and ruled offside because Schalke captain Maya Yoshida was in Martin Schwäbe’s field of vision.
Dietz’ big chance – Drexler sees red
And then the FC took over the scepter, got almost 70 percent possession of the ball. Julian Chabot was only centimeters short of a corner kick (18′), Dietz’s header failed at goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow (25′). Something went for Cologne on the outside.
Suddenly Schalke’s Drexler had to leave the field. In midfield stabbing for the ball against Jonas Hector, he caught the FC captain on the calf. The players then clapped amicably and continued playing. Referee Schröder, however, noticed Drexler’s open sole when looking at the pictures after the VAR note. He made a tough decision: red for Drexler, who left the field in disbelief.
Cologne dominates, the VAR radios again
And things got even worse for Schalke: Just a few minutes after the restart, the home fans in Cologne-Müngersdorf were celebrating the lead. A short corner was not defended by S04, Hector’s cross pass pushed Kilian over the line.
After a mistake by Schwolow, who lost the ball, Kainz scored the second Cologne goal. This was only given after another VAR intervention, originally the referee team had ruled offside.
Bülter’s header after a free-kick from Thomas Ouwejan caught FC goalkeeper Schwäbe on the wrong foot again, but shortly afterwards Cologne’s Ljubicic scored – also with a header – the final result. Schalke’s Brunner failed at the post (90 + 2).
FC must go to Leipzig, Schalke welcomes Gladbach
The Cologne team travel to Leipzig for the second matchday on Saturday (13.08.2022, 3.30 p.m.). FC Schalke 04 is playing against Borussia Mönchengladbach at the same time.