1. FC Köln secured all three points in an eventful game against SV Darmstadt 98 on Saturday night at the RheinEnergieSTADION. Jan Thielmann opened up the scoring in the first minute before Fraser Hornby levelled from the spot. The Scot was then sent off, with FC going on to win the game thanks to Luca Waldschmidt’s spot-kick in the 81st minute.
Team news
Gerhard Struber made two changes to the side that started against SSV Ulm last weekend. Eric Martel and Dominique Heintz returned to the line-up in place of Denis Huseinbašić and Joël Schmied.
Florian Kohfeldt opted for just one alteration from the team that secured a 3:0 win against Karlsruher SC. Luca Marseiler replaced Jean-Paul Boëtius on the right-wing.
Level at the break
FC started the game with real purpose and a high press produced the opening goal inside the first 60 seconds. Sergio Lopez didn’t see Jan Thielmann lurking in the penalty area, and the Spanish defender’s pass was picked off with ease. On his 150th appearance, Thielmann kept his cool despite the oncoming Marcel Schuhen to slot home from 14 yards.
Darmstadt’s attack was of little cause for concern to Marvin Schwäbe’s goal, until the 25th minute. After a VAR review that had many in the stadium puzzled, Florian Heft pointed to the spot. Dominique Heintz was adjudged to have handled in the box after Fraser Hornby’s header. The Scot then converted powerfully to level the scores.
That is also how the game remained up until the half-time break.
Waldschmidt wins it again
In stark contrat to the first period, the second-half was akin to a wild west shootout. Gerhard Struber brought on Dejan Ljubičić, Denis Huseinbašić and Imad Rondić at the break but it was Darmstadt who had the first opening, with Hornby bringing a strong save out of Marvin Schwäbe at the near post.
After Luca Waldschmidt and Huseinbašić went close, it was Hornby who thrusted himself into the limelight once more. This time, however, it was for the wrong reasons. His wild and unnecessary lunge on Jusuf Gazibegović saw him pick up a second booking in the space of 10 minutes and rightfully given his marching orders.
FC pressed on with the man advantage but took a while to work a way through the Darmstadt defence. Imad Rondić flicked wide at the near post, while Waldschmidt thundered a swerving shot over the bar from the edge of the box.
In the 79th minute, it was FC’s turn to be the beneficiary of the VAR. After Florian Heft reviewed Andreas Müller’s challenge on Timo Hübers, he pointed promptly to the penalty spot. Luca Waldschmidt stepped up and confidently sent Marcel Schuhen the wrong way to restore FC’s lead.
Darmstadt weren’t done yet, though. After glorious chances to kill the game off, FC had to thank Marvin Schwäbe for two superb saves to deny Fynn Lakenmacher and Aleksandar Vukotic at the very death.
FC head into the international break in second place, a point behind top of the table Hamburger SV and two ahead of SC Paderborn in third. It is Paderborn who are FC’s next opponents after the international break, with Gerhard Struber’s side back in action on Saturday 29th March at 13:00 CET.
Line-ups
1. FC Köln (3-4-1-2): Schwäbe – Hübers, Martel, Heintz – Gazibegović (Lemperle 69‘), Olesen (Ljubičić 46‘), Kainz (Huseinbašić 46‘), Finkgräfe – Waldschmidt (Uth 87‘) – Thielmann, Tigges (Rondić 46‘).
SV Darmstadt 98 (4-4-2): Schuhen – Sergio Lopez (Lakenmacher 86‘), Riedel, Vukotic, Guille Bueno – Marseiler (Boëtius 63‘), Müller (Maglica 80‘), Papela, Corredor – Lidberg, Hornby.
Goals: 1:0, Thielmann 1‘. 1:1, Hornby PEN 25‘. 2:1, Waldschmidt PEN 79‘.
Referee: Florian Heft (Neuenkirchen).
Booked: Ljubicic (67‘), Kohefeldt (88‘), Papela (90+9‘).
Sent-off: Hornby (66‘).
Attendance: 50,000 (sold-out).