Arminia Bielefeld came close to their first home win of the season in the 1-1 draw against 1. FC Köln, but in the end lacked the final consistency in their finishing against Cologne, who dropped off sharply after the break.
Arminia coach Frank Kramer made two changes compared to the 0:1 in Munich – one of them forced: Instead of Andrade (bench) and Vasiliadis (COVID-19 infection) Laursen and Kunze started.
Cologne coach Steffen Baumgart was forced to make a change after the 4-1 defeat in the derby against Gladbach. Captain Hector (thigh ligament) was replaced by Schindler. Schmitz moved from the right to the left side of defence – as he did in the second half against VfL.
Özcan’s tunnel – Schmitz saves on the line
Both teams wasted little time in tactical probing, instead trying to bridge the midfield quickly. Modeste (4th) and Wimmer (7th) had the first small opportunities. All in all, Cologne were a little more focused at the start, while Arminia repeatedly lacked the final precision. A successful pass from Czichos gave the Cologne team the lead in the 17th minute. Özcan, who was sent up the pitch, scored after Ortega Moreno’s tunnel to make it 1:0.
After taking the lead, Bielefeld increased their intensity a little and now had some good opportunities. Klos, who was sent clear, failed in a one-on-one with Schwäbe, who had come out of the goal (25.). Wimmer was stopped by Kilian at the last moment after a small solo (42nd), before Klos came closest to scoring the 1:1 after a corner kick at the break: But his header from close range was scraped off the goal line at the last moment by Schmitz (45.+3).
Joker Lasme stings immediately
After the restart, the game quickly developed into a rather nervy affair – at least in the minutes after half-time – in which Arminia became increasingly dominant. After Schöpf narrowly missed after the very agile Wimmer (53rd), Bielefeld deservedly equalised a little later: After a throw-in by Klos and a move via Schöpf and Okugawa, the recently substituted Lasme scored – it was the first Bundesliga goal for the Frenchman (59th), who had come on shortly before for sixth man Kunze.
Arminia had now tasted blood and continued to play forward with verve – which, however, also opened up spaces for the visitors. Kainz missed a good volley opportunity (64th), as did Ljubicic shortly afterwards, because he could not find a taker for his pass after a solo (68th). However, it was the East Westphalians who came closer to victory: Wimmer forced Schwäbe into a flying save (67th), Hack, who was then substituted for the Austrian, missed from a good position (81st).
Holding three series – a first
This was the 16th time in a row that Arminia scored at least one goal against Cologne. The DSC has not yet managed this against any other club. This also continues two other series: while Bielefeld remain winless at home for the ninth time this season, Cologne remain winless away from home for the eighth time. However, the two teams drew for the first time ever at the Alm in their 14th Bundesliga meeting.
Bielefeld’s next match is at Hertha BSC next Saturday (3.30 pm). Cologne host FC Augsburg the day before (8.30 p.m.).
