For the first time this season, 1. FC Köln lost at home – in the all-important clash against Augsburg. FCA were convincing defensively, also had the better chances and ended their 13-game negative streak of away games without a win with the 2:0.
In terms of personnel, there was mostly good news on both sides before kick-off, with both clubs fielding their regular captains. Cologne coach Steffen Baumgart had Andersson up front alongside returnee Hector after the 1-1 draw with Arminia Bielefeld, but had to do without the ill Skhiri in midfield and also ordered Schindler to the bench.
Augsburg coach Markus Weinzierl made four changes compared to the 2:3 against VfL Bochum: Gouweeleuw (after overcoming COVID-19 infection) and Oxford (after thigh problems) returned to the starting eleven, as did Moravek and Gregoritsch. Framberger and Winther moved into the second row, while the stricken Maier and Zeqiri (hip/groin) were missing from the squad entirely.
Cologne make more running
Tactically, FCA presented themselves as a typical visiting team: The Bavarian Swabians lurked on the counter-attack, acted wait-and-see, left the ball to the Geißböcken and thus also the initiative. The Effzeh took on the task, made a lot of noise and initially created a lot of activity, especially on their own right side.
Promising chances were soon to be seen, such as Modeste’s header (2nd) or Hahn’s impressive long-range shot (4th) and Gregoritsch’s lob that was disallowed for being just offside.
In general, it was an intense and therefore also restless as well as quite hectic game. Both teams were keen to move the ball forward quickly and were also quite gallant in the duels.
Cologne harmless, FCA inefficient
The Cathedral City side had more of the play, but no other goals worth mentioning – neither from play nor from standards, where Cologne were quite harmless in half one.
FCA, on the other hand, defended uncompromisingly and had the better chances: Caligiuri (21.) and Vargas (24., 29.) were too imprecise, however, and the game went into the dressing rooms goalless.
After the break, the Geißböcke presented a completely different picture: Cologne started with a lot of pressure, pushed hard for the lead and found themselves in front of Gikiewicz several times – but the Pole could not be overcome, so he made a great save on Modeste’s header after 51 minutes.
Two minutes later, it was clear that Augsburg were still in the game when Hahn tested Cologne goalkeeper Schwäbe with a powerful 17-metre shot during a counterattack. All in all, the second half was more football, less celebration.
Dorsch opens the door to an away win
Which shouldn’t have bothered Baumgart, who was wearing a waistcoat and short sleeves on the sidelines in the crisp three degree Celsius, but Ljubicic’s loss of the ball should have bothered him much more: Dorsch won the ball and sent in Vargas, whose cross was deflected by Schwäbe to Hahn’s feet – 1:0 (72.).
Cologne were threatened with their first home defeat of the season, while Baumgart received his second yellow card of the season for hitting the ball and a subsequent verbal altercation with FCA goalkeeper Gikiewicz (78). Cologne still had time to avert the defeat – and they tried, but only had half chances through Schmitz (78th) and Andersson (81st, 82nd). FCA impressed defensively, defended everything away – and Dorsch finally put the lid on it shortly before the end with a wonderful long-range shot into the left corner of the goal (88th).
Both clubs are back on points in the Bundesliga this week: Cologne visit Wolfsburg on Tuesday (20.30), Augsburg host RB Leipzig 24 hours later.
