1. FC Köln fell to a 2:0 defeat against VfB Stuttgart on Saturday afternoon at the RheinEnergieSTADION. Deniz Undav scored twice after coming off the bench to secure the win for the visitors.
Team news
Steffen Baumgart made two changes to the side that started against Werder Bremen last weekend. Rasmus Carstensen and Steffen Tigges replaced Benno Schmitz and Luca Waldschmidt.
Sebastian Hoeneß also opted for two alterations following their win against Darmstadt last time out. Anthony Rouault and Jamie Leweling came into the line-up in place of Dan-Axel Zagadou and Silas Katompa Mvumpa.
Level at the break
The game began with chances at both ends, in what was a furious start to proceedings. Rasmus Carstensen’s delivery was almost turned into his own net by Hiroki Ito, while Sehrou Guirassy headed against the crossbar from a corner. Linton Maina set Steffen Tigges free moments later, as he decided to pass instead of shoot and his cross was cleared.
Stuttgart then tested Marvin Schwäbe for the first time, as the FC shotstopper produced a fine save to deny Ito’s strong shot from the edge of the area. Davie Selke responded immediately, with his snapshot edging just past the upright from 20 yards. Alexander Nübel then produced a superb stop to deny Dejan Ljubicic’s curler. The teams went in level at the break.
Undav strikes twice
The second-half began with FC on the front foot, with Tigges’ early effort blocked by the Stuttgart backline. After some pressure from the visitors, FC began to come forward. Luca Waldschmidt and Carstensen found no-one in the middle after great deliveries from wide areas. Faride Alidou then shot straight at Nübel after more good play from Maina.
Just as FC were building up a head of steam, Stuttgart went ahead. Deniz Undav was left unmarked six yards out and after a clever run from Chris Führich, Undav powered home to give the visitors the lead. FC huffed and puffed but there would be no equaliser. Instead a late counter saw Silas crack the post and Undav was on hand to stab home and seal the three points for Stuttgart.
FC are next in action against Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday, 8th October. The game at the BayArena kicks off at 15:30 CEST.
Line-ups
1. FC Köln (4-1-3-2): Schwäbe – Carstensen, Hübers, Chabot, Pacarada – Huseinbasic (Downs 76‘) – Ljubicic, Kainz (Alidou 60‘), Maina (Finkgräfe 86‘) – Tigges (Waldschmidt 60‘), Selke.
VfB Stuttgart (4-2-3-1): Nübel – Stenzel (Mittelstädt 86‘), Rouault, Anton, Ito – Stiller, Karazor (Undav 62‘) – Leweling (Silas 73‘), Millot (Egloff 86‘), Führich (Zagadou 86‘) – Guirassy.
Goals: 0:1, Undav 68’. 0:2, Undav 88’.
Referee: Tobias Stieler (Hamburg).
Booked: Ljubicic (26’), Huseinbasic (55‘), Millot (79’).
Attendance: 50,000 (sold-out).