1. FC Köln’s first game under Timo Schultz ended in an end-to-end 4:4 draw against Rot-Weiss Essen. Marvin Obuz and Leandro Vonic had given the hosts the lead before Davie Selke pulled a goal back. Vonic, Luca Waldschmidt and Ron Berlinski traded strikes. However, a Florian Dietz penalty and Jan Thielmann’s strike meant FC secured a draw.
The hosts were ahead inside 22 seconds after a ball over the top of the FC defence saw Marvin Obuz run through and keep his cool one-on-one with Marvin Schwäbe. RWE were on top in the early stages and extended their lead when Leandro Vonić rifled into the top corner after a cross wasn’t properly dealt with.
FC got their foot in the door when Davie Selke finished off a lovely move involving Mark Uth and Luca Waldschmidt, with the latter squaring to him in front of an open goal. However, Essen found the back of the net 10 minutes later. Vonić managed to control the ball in the area before moving towards goal and firing past the oncoming Schwäbe.
Waldschmidt reduced the deficit once more, finishing off a fine pass from Noah Katterbach. Waldschmidt had a great opportunity to level, only to miss the target after going through the Essen defence. FC looked much more comfortable in the second-hour, though it was Essen who would score first. A slip at the back allowed Ron Berlinski time and space to find the back of the net from close range.
However, FC didn’t give up and fought back to level the game. Florian Dietz converted from the spot after a handball before Jan Thielmann thundered home from eight yards. Steffen Tigges and Denis Huseinbasic had chances yet failed to make one count late on.
Timo Schultz will now have the week with his FC side before the first competitive fixture of his reign. 1. FC Heidenheim are the visitors to the RheinEnergieSTADION on Saturday 13th January. Kick-off is at 15:30 CET.
Line-ups
1. FC Köln first-half (4-1-2-1-2): Schwäbe – Schmitz, Hübers, Heintz, Katterbach – Martel – Olesen, Kainz – Waldschmidt – Uth (Downs 37‘), Selke (Potocnik 48‘).
1. FC Köln second-half (4-1-2-1-2): Pentke – Carstensen, Bakatukanda (Kujovic 91‘), Chabot, Finkgräfe – Christensen – Wäschenbach (Alidou 91‘), Maina (Diehl 100‘) – Huseinbasic – Thielmann, Dietz (Tigges 91‘).
Goals: 1:0, Obuz 1‘. 2:0, Vonić 17‘. 2:1, Selke 32‘. 3:1, Vonić 42‘. 3:2, Waldschmidt 50‘. 4:2, Berlinski 81‘. 4:3, Dietz PEN 84‘. 4:4, Thielmann 98‘.
Referee: Felix May.
Booked: Rother (101‘).
Attendance: 4,500.
