1. FC Köln fell to a 3:0 defeat against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday evening at Borussia-Park. After Philipp Sander gave the hosts the lead in first-half stoppage time, Kevin Diks penalty and Haris Tabakovic’s tap-in inside three second-half minutes secured three points for the hosts.
Team news
Eugen Polanski opted for an unchanged line-up from the first Bundesliga win of the season against FC St. Pauli a week prior.
Lukas Kwasniok made two changes to the side that started against Hamburger SV last weekend. Marius Bülter and Said El Mala came into the line-up in place of Ragnar Ache and Linton Maina.
Behind at the break
The first-half was lacking in major talking points in the early stages. The first real saves came from half-chances. Marius Bülter’s low effort to the near post was kept out by Moritz Nicolas, whilst Marvin Schwäbe had to be alert to keep out Haris Tabakovic’s flicked attempt from a dangerous cross.
It was a first 45 minutes largely lacking in talking points, so it was no surprise that the action occurred late on. Kristoffer Lund fouled Franck Honorat and, after a VAR review, Gladbach were awarded a penalty. Tabakovic’s shot was low and arrowed towards the bottom corner, only for Schwäbe to make a miraculous save.
However, the joy was short-lived. The resulting corner wasn’t cleared and eventually dropped for Philipp Sander to fire through the sea of red and white bodies and into the back of the net. After another short check, the goal was awarded and the half-time whistle went.
Slow start to the second-half
FC turned up the pressure at the start of the second-half and went close through Marius Bülter’s looping header. Despite the promise, that went to pot in the 61st minute. Another VAR check produced another penalty for Gladbach, this time for handball. Kevin Diks went right, so did Marvin Schwäbe, but the ball slipped between his fingers and the post as Gladbach doubled their lead.
Moments later, it was three. After a lapse in concentration at the back, Franck Honorat was able to bustle his way into the FC box and lay across for Haris Tabakovic’s tap-in.
The remainder of the second half looked to draw to a dull close with Jakub Kamiński’s effort crashing against the crossbar the only moment of note until late on. Luca Waldschmidt had a stunning volley ruled out due to Ragnar Ache’s offside position in the build-up before the forward converted from a penalty in the 91st minute.
FC are next in action after the international break against Eintracht Frankfurt. Another highlight game on Saturday evening, kick-off at the RheinEnergieSTADION is at 18:30 CET on 22nd November.
Line-ups
Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-4-2-1): Nicolas – Sander (Friedrich 63’), Elvedi, Diks – Scally, Reitz (Fraulo 90+6’), Engelhardt, Ullrich – Honorat (Machino 75’), Neuhaus (Reyna 75’) – Tabakovic.
1. FC Köln (3-5-2): Schwäbe – Schmied, Martel, Cenk (Waldschmidt 67’) – Kamiński, Jóhannesson (Castro-Montes 80’), Huseinbašić, Kainz (Ache 46’), Lund (Maina 67’) – Bülter, El Mala (Sebulonsen 46’).
Goals: 1:0, Sander 45+3’. 2:0, Diks (PEN) 61’. 3:0, Tabakovic 64’. 3:1, Waldschmidt (PEN) 90+1’.
Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Oberasbach).
Booked: Reitz (12’), Huseinbašić (34’), Ache (75’), Diks (75’), Sebulonsen (75’).
Attendance: 54,042 (sold-out).