1. FC Cologne

1. FC Köln versus Hertha BSC: Markus Gisdol in the press conference

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Cologne –

The air is getting thinner and thinner for FC!

After the embarrassing 0: 5 bankruptcy of 1. FC Köln at SC Freiburg last weekend, Cologne slipped to 16th place.

On Saturday (3:30 p.m.) Hertha BSC will come to the Rhein-Energie-Stadion – an extremely important game! If a similar bloodless appearance as in Breisgau can be seen, it could have been for coach Markus Gisdol (51).

The fans of 1. FC Köln want to give the team a message beforehand. At the Geißbockheim they hung up a banner on Friday to give the team the necessary motivation.

Markus Gisdol: “The training week was very intense”

“Shortly after the game you don’t have a real explanation for a game like that, so you take a little more time afterwards. Then you have to try directly to change things and align our ideas. A game like this can be a cleansing thunderstorm, that can help. The training week was very intense, ”said Gisdol at the press conference.

And further: “Everyone asks himself what he can contribute personally. Good things often come to the fore. I think it’s good when the players talk to each other, to say where something can be done better. I don’t mean that negatively in any way. We all pull together 100 percent. “

Markus Gisdol: “I don’t know whether Horst has to say it more clearly”

Horst Heldt said after the Freiburg game that Gisdol will also sit on the bench against Hertha. The coach is therefore not concerned with the thought that it could soon be over for him in Cologne: “I concentrate on working with the team, I put energy into it. I don’t know whether Horst has to say it more clearly. It makes no sense for me to deal with this topic. “

With Christian Clemens (29) a goodbye is very likely. The winger was released from training with the regional league team to hold talks.

Read the press conference of 1. FC Köln with Markus Gisdol and Horst Heldt (51) before the game against Hertha BSC:

Heldt: Bruno Labbadia already had many qualities back then, and still has them. If you lost a game with him, he was unresponsive. But that’s just to make it clear that he had big goals and a great career.

Gistol: Ehizibue trained very well on Tuesday and always had his scenes. You can clearly feel that he’s coming back. At Tolu we didn’t do him justice at the beginning when we immediately threw him in. I see a development in him. He makes the typical development of a young player who comes from a small league and has everything shot short and sweet. It is increasingly becoming a good alternative for us. But we still have to give him the time he needs because he has enormous potential. He is hardworking and accelerates.

Heldt: Christian Clemens is holding talks and we wish him the best of luck. Without going into further details, something could develop. I also heard the rumors about Ehizibue, but cannot confirm the reports. There is no contact with Florence.

Gistol: I’m sorry for Anthony Modeste, honestly. Let him find himself again in peace. He accelerates and even does extra training with a personal trainer. I hope it finds its shape again. It’s a lot of work, but he does a lot for it. Leave him alone for a while.

Gistol: In terms of personnel, we have the same team available as last week. It’s difficult to say what to expect from Hertha. It’s important that we find the right position in the game.

Gistol: In Dortmund we won with a back three, in Leipzig we scored with a back four. It doesn’t matter in which formation you play if the access doesn’t fit. Now we just have to find the right attitude again, the greed, the two-way game. This is the first step in order to be able to play a good game, and we want to build on that to play good football. Without a proper game against the ball, we don’t have a chance against any team.

Gistol: Before I criticize a single player, I always start with myself. I am responsible for what the team delivers. If the criticism focuses more on the coach, as it is now, then I am happy to take it upon myself if a player feels less pressure. That was certainly not the best performance from me either and I am the most critical person there is with myself.

Gistol: With the cleansing thunderstorm I meant above all that everyone asks themselves again what they can contribute personally. Good things often come to the fore. I think it’s good when the players talk to each other, to say where something can be done better. I don’t mean that negatively in any way. Everyone pulls together 100 percent.

Gistol: I concentrate on working with the team, that’s where I put energy. I don’t know whether Horst has to say it more clearly. It doesn’t make any sense to me to deal with this topic.

Heldt: Every game is of course important to us. Both teams disappointed at the weekend, which is an explosive factor in the game. But I don’t think we have a final. For me, the endgame means that things cannot go on afterwards. But it does.

Gistol: Shortly after the game you don’t have a real explanation for such a game, so you take a little more time afterwards. Then you have to try directly to change things and to align our ideas. A game like this can be a cleansing thunderstorm, that can help. The training week was very intense.

Heldt about the previous training week: We always have a good exchange with the team, especially the coaching team. This week we intensified it and dealt with many players individually and in groups. But that all stays in the inner circle. We have a good feeling, the players were understanding. You don’t want something like last weekend to happen again. We are optimistic.

12 o’clock: Markus Gisdol and Horst Heldt are there.

11.55 a.m .: It’s starting soon.

1. FC Köln vs. Hertha BSC: The balance

  • 70 encounters
  • 31 FC victories
  • 12 draws
  • 27 Hertha victories

The record speaks easily for the FC. The last time they met, FC clearly won 5-0 – on Carnival Saturday! Previously, however, the Cologne team could only win two out of twelve games against the capital city. Hertha won the last two games in the Rhein-Energie-Stadion.

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Bundesliga: Schalke also loses against Bielefeld – Sport

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FC Schalke 04 – Arminia Bielefeld 0: 1 (0: 0); Goals: 0: 1 Klos (53rd)

For the fourth time, Huub Stevens signed on as Schalke coach on Friday and of course said this time: “The zero has to be there.” The 67-year-old, who last saved the club from relegation in July 2019, had just 24 hours to prepare the team for the first game – and it was tough: on Saturday afternoon, the bottom of the table from Gelsenkirchen met the third-bottom from Bielefeld , it was about everything.

“It doesn’t work without having fun,” said Stevens before kick-off, he remained calm like a hedgehog in hibernation. But Schalke did not have any fun that afternoon – the next catastrophe took its course. Midfielder and captain Oscar Mascarell was injured early. A tough, nicky part developed. Bielefeld had 60 percent of the ball, but the first good chance to score just before half-time: Arminia attacker Sergio Córdova prevailed in the penalty area against the polite Ozan Kabak, but hit the post. At least there was still zero (as in the long first 33 minutes in all other arenas).

After the break, Schalke almost took the lead, Bielefeld defender Cedric Brunner gave a rebound with his head dangerously on his own goal. Then at Schalke for the 25th time in a row the zero fell: Nathan de Medina crossed directly to the head of Fabian Klos, who headed the ball into the goal with a touchdown. Within 24 hours, Stevens was unable to give the team security, they didn’t get a single good chance. Schalke remains without a win in the 29th Bundesliga game in a row. The situation is more dramatic than ever: six points are now behind the relegation place. “We can only get out of there if we all pull together,” said Stevens on Sky. “The boys gave everything. What should we do? Give up? No! You always have to fight and keep going.” There is “no other way” and this is now becoming even more difficult.

RB Leipzig – 1. FC Cologne 0: 0 (0: 0)

Dominik Szoboszlai was already in Leipzig last week – but only to sign his contract starting in January. Only then does the 20-year-old midfielder switch from FC Red Bull Salzburg to RB Leipzig with a hammer shot. And so Szoboszlai has not yet been able to replace any of the absent regular players against Cologne. Ibrahima Konaté, Christopher Nkunku and Justin Kluivert weren’t there, Emil Forsberg and Dani Olmo had coach Julian Nagelsmann regenerate on the bench. The Leipzig team initially played just as cautiously as they did in the 1-0 win at TSG Hoffenheim on Wednesday, when they only needed four shots on goal to win.

Now they finally shot a little more often on goal, but Angeliño in the first half and Kevin Kampl, Olmo and Dayot Upamecano in the second half failed with the most promising chances. That meant: The Leipzigers didn’t even manage to lead the table that afternoon. The first at Christmas was FC Bayern Munich.

Borussia Mönchengladbach – TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 1: 2 (1: 0); Tore: 1:0 Stindl (34./Foulelfmeter), 1:1 Kramaric (75.), 1:2 Sessegnon (86.)

Breel Embolo was alone past all Hoffenheimers – and already at the level of the center line. The Gladbach attacker therefore had a running distance of a good 50 meters to consider in which corner he would like to defeat goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. Embolo opted for the left side – and then popped the ball next to the goal in this 32nd minute. It was nothing. But the Gladbachers still scored the only goal in all Saturday afternoon games before half-time: Lars Stindl was successful with a penalty (34th). Marcus Thuram was previously fouled a little awkwardly by Dennis Geiger.

Fully justified: Marcus Thuram sees red after spitting.

(Photo: MARIUS BECKER / AFP)

On the other hand, Andrej Kramaric hit the post shortly after after a long shot (36th). He then made up for the equalizer in the second half: After a strong solo by Ihlas Bebou, he waited at the second post for his flank and scored 1: 1 free-standing. On the shock of having received an equalizer again at home against Real Madrid, Union Berlin or FC Augsburg, a Gladbacher completely lost his nerve: Thuram spat at his opponent Stefan Posch – and was consequently sent off (78th). That should result in a severe penalty in front of the sports court – and was already punished on Saturday on the field: Ryan Sessegnon took advantage of the majority and scored the 2-1 final for Hoffenheim – the first success for Sebastian Hoeneß’s team after two lost games.

FC Augsburg – Eintracht Frankfurt 0: 2 (0: 0); Tore: 0: 1 Framberger (53./Owner), 0: 2 Ilsanker (87th)

Tuta was allowed to play again. Most recently, the 21-year-old Brazilian was in the starting line-up in the 5-0 win against FC Bayern on matchday five – and now the central defender was back in the starting line-up on a trip to Bavaria. He replaced the suspended David Abraham. With a better result: Frankfurt won 2-0. They were stronger than the Augsburgers, but prevailed mainly because of an own goal. Raphael Framberger hit the wrong goal shortly after the break – and confirmed his coach: “I’m surprised that you don’t have that many points,” Heiko Herrlich said before the game. Now the Frankfurters, for whom Stefan Ilsanker scored the final score, are ninth with 17 points again a place ahead of Augsburg. Incidentally, it didn’t help that Herrlich was able to offer his nominally strongest attack for once: Florian Niederlechner and Alfred Finnbogason stormed together – but managed little. Which, of course, was also due to Tuta’s performance.

Mainz 05 – Werder Bremen 0: 1 (0: 0); Tor: Dinkci (90th)

Mainz and Werder were lucky that afternoon that all disaster voyeurs were interested in the game in Gelsenkirchen. So only a few took notice of it, like the table penultimate and table-14. a fearful and erratic game. Both teams made sloppy passes, unnecessary ball losses and screwed up counterattacks. Bremen’s Josh Sargent once headed onto goal from a dangerous position, but again he made too little of it. Usually Werder was a little braver, but sometimes Mainz too. However, none of the teams had sparkling ideas – until the 90th minute. Because then Eren Dinkci, who had been substituted five minutes earlier, scored the winning goal with a head and Werder managed to climb out of the table cellar.

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RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga 0-0 against 1. FC Cologne

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Dhe home kings of RB Leipzig suffered a setback in the Bundesliga title fight. The team of coach Julian Nagelsmann came on Saturday against relegation candidate 1. FC Köln only to a 0-0 and dropped points in the seventh home game of the season for the first time. The Saxons thus missed the leap to the top of the table and now have to ensure a conciliatory end of the year in the DFB Cup at FC Augsburg on Tuesday.

Before kick-off, it became even quieter in the almost empty Red Bull Arena. Both teams stopped for the former trainer and RB advisor Gérard Houllier, who died on Monday. The former French national coach was responsible for the discovery of today’s Liverpool player Naby Keita and Dayot Upamecano.

After two minutes, Leipzig almost had reason to cheer when Amadou Haidara pushed in to take the lead. But captain Marcel Sabitzer had been offside when he passed the Malian international. Although the noble technicians Dani Olmo and Emil Forsberg were initially spared, Leipzig determined the game and should have taken the lead with Nordi Mukiele’s header (10th).

Cologne tried to be compact, but sometimes made adventurous mistakes. Angeliño (33.) shot too short a defense by goalkeeper Timo Horn on the empty goal, but Jorge Meré struck between them in dire need. After a hair-raising bad pass in the build-up, Angeliño (36th) was through again, but Horn parried brilliantly. Shortly before the break, Cologne showed itself strongly on the offensive for the first time, but Dominik Drexler’s volley (39th) went over.

Nagelsmann reacted tactically and personally in the second half. Forsberg and Olmo replaced Yussuf Poulsen and the ailing Sabitzer. On the defensive, the 33-year-old switched to a back four, pulling Angeliño far forward on the left wing. An improvement was immediately visible through play, but initially there were no opportunities.

Only Forsberg (56th) caused danger with a conclusion inside the penalty area. So Nagelsmann followed suit, bringing in Alexander Sörloth for Haidara after 63 minutes. The next big chance was missed by Kevin Kampl (66th). The midfielder came completely free in the penalty area but shot over the goal. Horn parried Willi Orban’s header (72nd) from close range great. Leipzig ran up and became increasingly desperate. Nagelsmann drew his last joker in top talent Dennis Borkowski. But even the substitution of the striker did not bring the desired success and left frustrated Leipzigers behind.

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Bundesliga: BVB embarrassed themselves with 1: 5 against Stuttgart

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SFor the whole month of December, Borussia Dortmund has been performing a dance on the ridge between a warm pre-Christmas season and an oppressive feeling of crisis. The results in the Bundesliga were changeable, but the competition didn’t hurry. The appearances in the Champions League seemed tedious, but BVB moved into the second round as group winners. In the 1: 5 against VfB Stuttgart, they crashed into the crisis. The promoted team could have scored eight or nine goals on Saturday afternoon with a little more consistency in the final goal, BVB had almost fallen apart.

The Stuttgart team were more alert and energetic over the entire 90 minutes, they won important duels in midfield and had three good opportunities in the first quarter of an hour. Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Bürki saved a nice long shot from Wataru Endo (3rd) and a dangerous free kick from Borna Sosa (7th). However, Tanguy Coulibaly missed the greatest opportunity of this early phase, who came to the conclusion after a bad pass by Raphael Guerreiro at the six-yard box but missed the goal (13th). VfB played excellently: with courage, tackling strength, but also tactically clever.

For BVB, the home games in front of completely empty stands are a problem. Six out of eight games in which no spectators were allowed, the once strong home from Dortmund have now lost in their own stadium, most recently they remained without points against 1. FC Köln, and now they were the clearly inferior team against the promoted team.

The Swabians therefore fully deserved to take the lead after 27 minutes, Silas Wamangituka had converted a penalty (Emre Can to Mateo Klimowicz). Again and again the VfB combined seemingly unhindered in the penalty area of ​​the lazy Dortmunders, who once again had one of those days when hardly any player seemed to want to defend himself. Coulibaly (30), Klimowicz (38.) and Wamangituka (43.) had other good opportunities, while BVB only played one really good moment before the break. That was enough to compensate.

Left-back Guerreiro had at some point started to push himself into midfield center again and again because the Stuttgart-based company completely delivered his side. From here he played a great pass to Giovanni Reyna after 39 minutes. The 18-year-old American took the ball brilliantly at full speed with his left foot and followed a lob into the long corner of the Stuttgart gate with his right foot in one flowing movement. A beautiful goal.

With a lot of luck in their own penalty area and with their special individual class, the ensemble of coach Lucien Favre had saved themselves into halftime. Whereby Marco Reus, who played in the striker, and Jadon Sancho once again remained pale and the central defenders Hummels, Akanji and Can also played incorrectly. Something is currently wrong with this Dortmund team, which was praised in November for having finally stabilized at a high level.

This assumption turns out to be a gross miscalculation, because in the second half VfB finally developed into the team that played both smarter and more committed. Wamangituka’s 1: 2 matched the course of the game perfectly. Orel Mangala captured the ball in Dortmund’s half and played the Congolese striker who put Stuttgart back in the lead (53rd). Now BVB collapsed. With the simplest of passes, the climber levered the defense of the title candidate apart. Philipp Förster scored to 1: 3 (60th), Coulibaly (63rd) and Nicolas Gonzalez (90th) made it 1: 4 and 1: 5. It was a collapse, at the end of which there can no longer be any great doubts that Dortmund have a problem that is deeper than a great deal of fatigue and the weakness of individual players. VfB Stuttgart is now establishing itself in the upper half of the table and is only two points worse than Borussia Dortmund.

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1. FC Köln: Anthony Modeste frustrated after not being substituted on

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Cologne –

When referee Sven Jablonski (30) whistled after 93 minutes, 1. FC Köln had the next important point in the relegation battle with a 2-2 draw against VfL Wolfsburg.

But one of them couldn’t be happy at all: Anthony Modeste (32) immediately stomped angrily into the cabin instead of clapping with his colleagues.

1. FC Köln versus VfL Wolfsburg: Anthony Modeste was available for substitution

Frustration with the French! Modeste was available as a substitute in stoppage time, should come for goal debutant Jan Thielmann (18) and collect at least one comeback minute after his injury break.

Anthony Modeste was available to replace, his number was even displayed.

But nothing there! Jablonski whistled off punctually. Assistant coach André Pawlak (49) gave Tony an encouraging pat on the way, then the striker had already disappeared into the catacombs.

After missing three games due to spinal disc problems, the 32-year-old was again only a spectator, as in the 2-1 win in Dortmund. Even a one-minute mission would not have significantly improved Modest’s mood on Saturday – that is simply not the goal scorer’s claim!

1. FC Köln against VfL Wolfsburg again without a striker

Coach Markus Gisdol (51) could “understand” the frustration and explained: “The referee said that he doesn’t want to whistle the game again. That was a shame, I would have loved to bring Tony. “

Modern storm colleague Sebastian Andersson (29), who was absent from Dortmund due to knee problems, did not fare much better. The Swede – previously always in the starting XI – is just like Tony a long way from 100 percent and was only substituted after 88 minutes.

Markus Gisdol praises Jan Thielmann and Ondrej Duda

In the forefront, like last week, Gisdol relied on birthday boy Ondrej Duda (26) and Jan Thielmann (here the scores from 1. FC Köln), so he acted without a striker. Both thanked them with goals.

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Jan Thielmann celebrates at 1. FC Cologne.

Jan Thielmann (center) scored his first Bundesliga goal against VfL Wolfsburg.

The FC coach praised after the game: “Both are very team-friendly and hardworking workers against the ball. They really work a lot away from us up there. But they are also very important and dangerous for goals in the switching movement. I’m glad we have these options. “

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1. FC Köln: Individual review of the game against VfL Wolfsburg

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Cologne –

1. FC Köln missed their first home win of the season, but after a courageous performance they managed to draw a 2-2 draw against VfL Wolfsburg.

The FC gave twice a lead against the unbeaten Wolves, but should be happy about the point win in the end.

1. FC Köln against VfL Wolfsburg: FC professionals in the individual review

Timo Horn 2

Confirmed his good shape. Prevented the early deficit with a strong save against Weghorst. Powerless with the goals conceded.

Sava Cestic 3

An astonishingly routine performance until he lost track of Weghorst at 2-2. Got increasingly distressed in the second half.

Sebastiaan Bornauw 3

Very impetuous, how he caused the free kick before the 1-1. Had my hands full with the massive VfL offensive.

Sebastiaan Bornauw brought down Maximilian Arnold. Wolfsburg then scored 1: 1 with a free kick.

Jannes Horn 4

I was lucky that Weghorst did not punish his stumbling block. Didn’t always look firm in an unfamiliar position.

Marius Wolf 3

Made a lot of traffic on the right side. The last bit was missing. Stumbled on a promising counterattack.

from 88. Schmitz –

Saved the point with over time.

Salih Ozcan 2

An example of commitment and will. In addition, the 1-0 prepared exemplary. Was the best from Cologne until he had to go out injured.

from 39th Drexler 4

Found it difficult after being substituted on, also because Wolfsburg got much stronger after the break.

Ellyes Skhiri 3

Not a scorer this time, but a hardworking worker. Didn’t look spectacular, but it was eminently important.

Elvis Rexhbecaj 3

Was motivated to the tips of his hair against his ex-colleagues. Proved a great eye before the 2-1. Dived a little in half time two.

ab 88. Andersson –

He was supposed to initiate the final offensive, but remained ineffective.

Ismail Jakobs 4

Outstanding his diagonal pass to Elvis before the 2-1, otherwise offensive pale. Looked unhappy with the 2-2 equalizer.

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1. FC Köln celebrates against VfL Wolfsburg.

Jan Thielmann (2nd from right) gave 1. FC Köln a 1-0 lead against VfL Wolfsburg.

Jan Thielmann 1

Crowned an outstanding performance with his first Bundesliga goal. At the age of 18, six months and nine days as old as Lukas Podolski when he scored his first Bundesliga goal.

Ondrej Duda 2

Wasn’t there for a long time, then he struck coldly. Gave himself presents on his birthday. Worked tirelessly.

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BVB loses against Cologne: “I’m deeply disappointed” – sport

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Patience is one of Lucien Favre’s favorite words. The coach of Borussia Dortmund encourages his footballers again and again to use the full 90 minutes with an unimpressed game. They like to do that too. They only scored 18 of 21 goals this season in the second half, including the one against 1. FC Köln on Saturday. But this time it wasn’t enough. The increase in patience is panic at the end of the gate, and it grabbed BVB when their opponent from 1. FC Köln, who had previously been winless for 18 Bundesliga games in Dortmund, took the 60th minute 2-0 lead. In the end, Borussia stormed for almost half an hour with all their child prodigies Erling Haaland, Jadon Sancho, Giovanni Reyna and Youssoufa Moukoko – but apart from the connection goal by Thorgan Hazard (74th) they didn’t succeed. After this 1: 2 (0: 1) defeat against the basement child Cologne, a new debate will begin in Dortmund about mentality, willingness to play for the title and the coach Favre. And yet they had just come back on the right track. “I am deeply disappointed,” said Favre.

The Cologne team, on the other hand, experienced a relief at the final whistle after five minutes of nerve-wracking stoppage time that should have been felt as a pressure wave across Dortmund. The trainer Markus Gisdol, out of sheer joy, didn’t know what to do with his energy and simply pushed the Kingsley Ehizibue in front of him away with enthusiasm. However, the latter did not hold it against him at all. Interestingly, the two goals with which the Rhineland outsiders defeated the Westphalian favorites were completely identical: Corner: Ondrej Duda, header extension on the first post: Marius Wolf, loan from Cologne’s BVB, goal on the second post by Ellyes Skhiri – once in the 9. and then in the 60th minute.

Borussia Dortmund v 1. FC Koeln - Bundesliga

Free at the far post for the second time: Ellyes Skhiri makes it 2-0.

(Foto: Pool/Getty Images)

The Cologne team made a convincing, playful plea for the thesis that no statistics, no matter how bad, should deter you from making the greatest possible effort. After eight and a half months without a Bundesliga victory and knowing that 1. FC Köln had not won in Dortmund since 1991, they took the lead 2-0 within an hour. The Cologne team showed very good pressing and repeatedly came dangerously in front of goal when they had possession. For Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho hit the crossbar once, Haaland missed his only two chances and a header from Mats Hummels was denied because of offside, the Cologne did not need to worry. “To win in our situation with apparently overpowering Dortmunders is a sensation,” said goalkeeper Timo Horn. With a brilliant save against Mats Hummels (87th), he had contributed to the surprise.

In center forward Sebastian Andersson and central defender Jorge Meré, two regular players were injured at Cologne at short notice. The 19-year-old Sava-Arangel Cestic therefore celebrated his Bundesliga premiere in the five-man chain and was not tricked by either Haaland (23 goals in 23 Bundesliga games) or Moukoko. “He was good,” said his coach Gisdol with a grin at the press conference and asked the journalists not to burden Cestic with “superlatives”. “But when a Swabian like me says ‘good’, it sometimes means a little more,” joked Gisdol.

Gisdol is happy: “A start has been made.”

Cologne’s coach appeared touched when he reported that he had thanked each member of his team individually “for the self-sacrificing work in difficult weeks”. The end of the series of failures is “important for the minds”. With this victory “a start has been made, the team will continue to stabilize”. And then he looked back briefly: We received an enormous amount of support from the fans, from the real fans who love the club, love the team and have supported it. We always felt that, it’s also a small thank you. “

Favre, however, looked dejected at the press conference. “Two goals conceded this way – it’s hard to accept.” However, he defended his team in terms of attitude: “They had respect for Cologne, they didn’t take it too lightly – but they played too slowly, with too little movement, they just didn’t play well today.” However, Favre did not think that they might have exaggerated their often-vaunted patience this time. “We have lost our patience a little,” said the Swiss even about the phase after conceding the goal to make it 2-0. “We played too hastily.”

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1. FC Köln – Say it with Sartre – Sport

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It is quite possible that Max Kruse will look around more often in the next few days, whether the long, thin guy is still after him, whether he is possibly standing in the queue at the bakery behind him or maybe keeping watch by his bed at night. Ellyes Skhiri took it very seriously on Sunday evening with the fulfillment of his special task of narrowing Kruse’s circles. If all of his colleagues had worked as accurately and efficiently as the 25-year-old Frenchman, the weekend would probably have ended better for the supporters of 1. FC Köln. But that wasn’t the case, and so in the end it was Max Kruse and the colleagues from Union Berlin who were able to enjoy the evening as a result of their 2-1 victory in Cologne.

The punch line of this game – Kruse’s winning goal in the 72nd minute – could be philosophized like the existentialists. The goal of the Berlin playmaker illustrated the contrast between two forms of existence. On the one hand, Kruse’s light-heartedness liberated him, allowing him to enter and leave the field with a smile and a wink; on the other, the whole sad futility of Cologne’s striving for happiness and success. The gaunt Skhiri with his always serious facial expressions would also be the right man to talk about these fundamental contradictions in the language of Jean-Paul Sartre.

Even more painful for Cologne: Max Kruse scores Berlin’s winning goal with a penalty margin.

(Foto: Lars Baron/Getty Images)

But as usual, Skhiri didn’t say a word, but left the scene without a word after the final whistle, while Kruse stayed behind, joked with his colleagues and let the coach Urs Fischer hug him. This hug contained an unspoken compliment, something like “You devil guy”, while the Berlin ten had offered a very modest performance. The bookkeeping noted for him: 10.44 kilometers of mileage, 13 received passes, five bad passes, only 28 ball contacts. One of these contacts was the shot to make it 2-1, another was the missed penalty before the 2-1. Kruse’s special guard Skhiri could not be held responsible for these touches. “You can’t cover him with a penalty, that’s not allowed,” said Cologne coach Markus Gisdol. A good joke, but it may not have been understood as such by everyone because Gisdol neither smiled nor winked. Maybe the situation of FC is too serious for him – after 18 games in a row without a win in the league. The coach is still certain of the support of manager Horst Heldt.

For some time now Gisdol has been said by disappointed Cologne residents that he has no constructive plan for FC football. At least on Sunday he had a good idea. From the archive of soccer teaching he took out a method that no longer appears on the blackboard at any coaching academy. There is the academy term “man-oriented opponent coverage” when it comes to eliminating exceptional players on the other side, but no laptop teacher wants to have anything to do with universal man coverage from premodern times. But that was exactly what Gisdol told his skhiri to do: he should follow Kruse everywhere. The man from Cologne did that from the first to the last minute, and he even followed him when Kruse stopped by his own penalty area during an interruption in the game to ask his injured colleague Marvin Friedrich how he was feeling.

18 games to no avail

Schalke 04 and 1. FC Köln continue the hunt for the winless record in the Bundesliga. The Royal Blues remained without a win for the 24th time in a row because of the 2-0 draw against VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday. Tasmania Berlin still holds the negative stamp from the 1965/66 season.

31 Tasmania Berlin from 8/21/65 to 5/14/66

24 FC Schalke 04 since January 25, 2020

21 1. FC Kaiserslautern October 30, 2011 – April 14, 2012

21 Dynamo Dresden 22.10.94 – 12.05.95

21 blue-white 90 Berlin 3.09.86 – 21.04.87

20 1. FC Nürnberg 7.10.18 – 17.03.19

19 Fortuna Düsseldorf 11/23/91 – 5/9/92

19 Hertha BSC 2.04.83 – 14.10.90

19 1. FC Saarbrücken 01/21/78 – 09/07/85

19 Rot-Weiss Essen 02/27/71 – 09/08/73

19 1860 Munich 04/11/70 – 11/05/77

19 Alemannia Aachen 12/5/69 – 04/30/70

18 1. FC Köln since March 11, 2020

The plan worked, Gisdol was rightly “completely satisfied” with it. The strong-running Skhiri took Kruse out of the game and still found the time to take part in the attack and make it 1-1. But there were also ten other Berliners on the square, and their cover work was no less successful than Skhiri’s solo work. The defensive discipline of the Union professionals would inspire Prussian generals. The Rhinelander despaired of it and came only three times dangerously in front of the opposing goal during the 90 minutes: With 1: 1 (after a free kick), with a header from Czichos (after a free kick), with a crossbar from Rexhbecaj (with a free kick) Second. While the Cologne team are struggling with the lack of imagination in their game, Urs Fischer feels compelled to reject compliments for fifth place in the table. He didn’t find the questions about the European Cup funny. “It’s stupid and stupid to think about Europe. Don’t say that,” he told a reporter.

As Fischer wishes, his team in Cologne played well-versed prevention football. The Cologne team did their part in addition to the game’s non-spectacle. Kruse was mainly a spectator, but that Gisdol did not fear him in vain, as shown by his short, fine pass, which led to the penalty scene. Kruse had basically given himself the template for his record shot. Had he converted, he would have gone down in league history as the best penalty taker. Timo Horn held up, however, and Kruse only met when he followed up. He later said with a smile: “We have 15 points and haven’t lost in seven games. That’s what to write about – and that’s why I didn’t put it down.” So much for the lightness of Kruse’s life.

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1. FC Köln: Horst Heldt on bankruptcy against Union Berlin

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Cologne –

1: 2 against Union Berlin, that was the next blow in the neck for 1. FC Köln in the relegation battle!

In Markus Gisdol’s team (51), no progress can be seen in the haphazard offensive or in the reliably failed defensive. The performance against Union (here the individual criticism of 1. FC Köln) has destroyed the tender hopes for improvement – after only one bankruptcy in four games.

Horst Heldt is still behind Markus Gisdol

How does Horst Heldt (50) react to the fifth loss of the season in the eighth game and the fall to 17th place? Cologne’s sporting director takes responsibility for the team and announces personnel consequences!

Spoke Monday morning Heldt at the Geißbockheim above…

… the bankruptcy against Union: “I am disappointed and certainly not the only one who slept badly. If you take the impressions with you, it is difficult to get to bed, they cannot be pushed away. Of course, I’m annoyed about the defeat – because it repeats that we suffer defeats that are unnecessary. We were hoping to get a threesome at home. We didn’t manage to do that, but not because the opponent was so much better, but because we didn’t act consistently on the pitch and give the opponent the goals. The penalty kick was the end of a completely unnecessary chain of mistakes. “

… consequences: “We just have to act more consistently and look for people who are willing to act more consistently. That will be the task for this week. The blatant individual mistakes that we produce don’t always come from the same players; that would then be easier to deal with. That is why we now have to filter even more intensively who is able to deal with the pressure in the difficult situation and perform consistently and not produce any major errors. “

… glimmer of hope: “That we could have won yesterday too. But I have to be careful what I say. I don’t want to sell anything here that can’t be sold. We have to be realistic. If you only have three points, it’s bloody difficult. In the details there are certainly things that add to hope. I don’t want to sound disrespectful, but there is no point in conveying this to the outside world. In the end we have a result that again failed. We have to keep working calmly and objectively. Any statements make no sense at the moment. We have three points, it’s sobering and frustrating. “

… the backing for coach Gisdol: “It remains. We have to solve the problems, the coach is just as responsible as the players. But this year I have not yet heard a single speech in which one pointed out the possibility of gross, negligent mistakes. Therefore, everyone has a duty. What is of no use at all is breaking the situation down to individual – everyone is challenged and has to live up to their responsibilities. Not just since yesterday. In the end, only the players can judge it. We have to accompany them and observe them intensively, give them the tools of the trade. The coaching team is still doing that. The players have to implement it – we have to filter who is able to. “

Markus Gisdol (right) and assistant coach Frank Kaspari could not be satisfied with their team against Union Berlin.

… continuity in the coaching position: “It is important to do what we are convinced of. We are still convinced and will hold on to it. “

… the destructive way of playing: “The perception is understandable. We have to try to minimize mistakes, which leads us to act more cautiously. We know that this is not a long-term recipe for success. We have to get into the mode of acting ourselves. But we can’t manage this balancing act yet. “

… missing scoring chances from the game: “I can remember two situations. We have to play off certain situations better. We’re not playing well, we have to improve that on the offensive. We have opportunities, but we don’t finish them properly. The last consequence is missing. “

Now voucher for the 1. FC Köln fan shop right here in the EXPRESS voucher portal to back up

…seriousness of the situation: “The situation has not gotten any better with the Union game. It’s very difficult, no question about it. With a draw we would have had a discussion, but we would have been on top of the line. We must continue to work in peace. We mustn’t lie in our pockets, we don’t do that either. That would be the biggest mistake we could make. It’s just not good that we lose a game again and again that we shouldn’t have lost. “

… the atmosphere in the club: “The people are dissatisfied. You can tell, although they are not allowed into the stadium. I can understand that too. The fans are worried about their club. We perceive that they are angry and disappointed. We have to face that. It is our responsibility to make sure we get results again. But that only works if you continue factually and realistically. “

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Union Berlin: Kruse misses penalty for the first time – sport

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In the carnival jersey, 1. FC Köln set three negative records in its long Bundesliga history and was shot at a relegation zone by Max Kruse. The Cologne team lost 1: 2 (1: 1) on the 8th match day against the heavily weakened team of 1. FC Union Berlin and are now penultimate. The loud chants, which a handful of fans behind the south curve through a large, black loudspeaker box inside the stadium, were of no help either.

With 18 games in a row without a win, the FC set the club’s negative record from two seasons, 19 times in a row the Cologne team had only conceded a goal in 1974, ten home games in a row without a win were only in the 2005/06 season – and next week FC have to go to Borussia Dortmund.

In contrast, the iron from Berlin continued their soaring unimpressed by major injury concerns and consolidated fifth place. The winning goal was curious: The previously ineffective Kruse missed a penalty for the first time in the Bundesliga in the 17th attempt and missed the sole Bundesliga record. But he sank the margin for the winning goal (72nd). Taiwo Awoniyi, on loan from English champions Liverpool FC, had given Union the lead with his first Bundesliga goal (27th). Ellyes Skhiri equalized in the meantime (36th). Union is only four points behind leaders FC Bayern Munich.

A game on a manageable level

The pressure on Cologne had already increased before the kick-off, because the Mainz 3-1 win in Freiburg had slipped FC to 17th place. And he almost fell behind early when Marcus Ingvartsen appeared free in front of Timo Horn after an apparently unsuccessful offside trap, but lifted the ball over the goal. Union had to do without established players like Christian Gentner, Joel Pohjanpalo, Keita Endo, Nico Schlotterbeck or Marius Bülter, and Sebastian Griesbeck had to go out injured after just under half an hour.

At this point in time, the guests, who only won both games against Cologne last year, were already leading through Awoniyi’s goal, who exploited a misunderstanding between Marius Wolf and Rafael Czichos. A diving header from Skhiri after a free kick by Ondrej Duda brought FC back into play before the break.

Even after the change, it remained a game on a manageable level. Significant for this: Both ex-Unioner Sebastian Andersson, who went into the game in the storm center of Cologne, and Berlin’s most recently strong offensive strategist Kruse, in which FC also had loose interest before the season, were virtually not to be seen. But then Kruse became the match winner after all.

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