The 1. FC Köln prevented Union Berlin from jumping to a Champions League place by drawing 2-2. The Cathedral City side had their goal-scorer to thank for that
It was a special duel for former Union player Steffen Baumgart, who started after the 0:2 at Borussia Dortmund with Czichos and Kainz instead of Kilian and Thielmann (both on the bench). But the Eisernen, who Urs Fischer rotated through compared to the 1:2 against Feyenoord – Jaeckel, Trimmel, Öztunali, Behrens (all on the bench) and Puchacz made way for Baumgartl, Gießelmann, Ryerson, Prömel and Awoniyi – also had good memories. They had won all four Bundesliga games against FC so far.
An intense clash began in a correspondingly balanced manner. Modeste dusted off Kainz’s 30-metre hammer against the crossbar with ease (7th), but just two turns later Ryerson – also in transition – equalised with a very well-placed 18-metre shot (9th).
Cold Cologne shower just before the break
Köln was the noticeably more active of the two energetic teams and, as usual under Baumgart, sought its salvation in wing play. Modeste (38th, 42nd) and Duda (40th) created good chances for the home side shortly before the break, but it was Union who took the lead: After a Czichos error in the build-up and a double pass with Haraguchi, Prömel beat Horn with a slight deflection (45th +1) – Awoniyi even almost ensured a double strike after a fine turn (45th +3).
Berlin had turned the result around, but Fischer’s team did not become more active after the restart. Cologne had a lot of possession and presented some ideas – the best of which came from a standard: Hector headed a Kainz free-kick narrowly wide (54th minute).
Managing from the textbook – then comes Modeste
Shortly afterwards, the visitors decided to manage much more actively. More ball wins, more counter-attacks. The Effzeh had problems with that. Big problems. There was hardly anything from the home side going forward, while the clock ticked down mercilessly.
Hector chose a new method at the beginning of the final phase, and Luthe had a hard time with his long-range shot (76th). The next fruitful idea was then a standard Modeste broke away from Baumgartl after a corner and put the ball into the far corner (86th) – the final phase was opened.
Horn prevented the next direct answer from Voglsammer (87th), the two-time provider of the assist Kainz even missed the great chance for the home victory at the five (88th).
Cologne, who did not lose to the Eisern for the first time in the Bundesliga at the fifth attempt, will meet Mainz 05 away after the international break on 21 November at 5.30 p.m. Union, who missed the jump to fourth place, will receive Hertha BSC for the city derby the day before.
