1. FC Köln came back furiously after being 2-0 down and beat FSV Mainz 05 3-2 (0-1). There were three important points in the fight for international places.
22 minutes was enough for 1. FC Köln for a sensational turnaround: coach Steffen Baumgart’s players were 2-0 behind against FSV Mainz 05, but the FC professionals ignited the turbo in the final phase and finally let the fans go , who turned the RheinEnergie Stadium into a madhouse, celebrate enthusiastically.
“A huge compliment to the team for coming back like this. That’s what sets us apart all season,” said goal scorer Dejan Ljubicic after the 3-2 (0-1) win sky. And the supporters were rightly out of control, the Ultras climbed the fence and celebrated their FC heroes. A triple change from Baumgart was decisive.
“Kölle, alaaf, alaaf,” rang out the speakers, and the lap of honor turned into a show. Mainz had taken the lead through Jonathan Burkardt (14th) and Karim Onisiwo (55th) and seemed confident of winning. But Cologne, which seemed stone dead, countered with Ellyes Skhiri (60th), Ljubicic (78th) and Luca Kilian (82nd).
Mainz sports director Martin Schmidt praises Cologne’s change of three
“It was a very good away game up to the 60th minute, we were too sure,” stated FSV sporting director Martin Schmidt, “the 1-2 brought them back to life, the change from three did them a lot.” FC kept their pursuers at a distance, with Cologne now in eighth place with 43 points. Mainz (38) remains tenth. Baumgart’s streak continued: Since taking office last summer, FC have never lost two Bundesliga games in a row.
It was clear from the start that FSV wanted to make amends for the sobering 2-1 draw in the catch-up game at FC Augsburg on Wednesday. Burkardt convinced with a lot of commitment in the center of the attack, he was always playable and caused confusion in the newly formed defense of Cologne, which revealed coordination problems without the suspended defender Timo Hübers.
But Burkardt was a little lucky with his opening goal: Kilian, on loan from FSV, decisively deflected the shot from Mainz. Cologne, on the other hand, had great difficulties in getting structure and dynamics into play.
The passes and flanks lacked the necessary precision. Baumgart reacted with a triple change: Among other things, the Turkish national player Salih Özcan moved to the center at Skhiri’s side, Jonas Hector to his agreed position on the left side of defense. Cologne now had more access – and quickly came through through Skhiri.
This hit released new energy. Cheered on by the loud fans, Cologne gained the upper hand and pushed hard for the equaliser. In this hectic phase with many duels, Mainz was only rarely able to provide relief. Substitute Ljubicic and Kilian made the Cologne fans cheer.
