1. FC Köln and FC Lugano played out an exciting 3:3 draw in Marbella, as FC’s time in Spain was brought to a close with the friendly fixture. Lugano went 2:0 up before Dominique Heintz reduced the deficit. The Swiss table-toppers extended their lead before a quick-fire double from Meiko Sponsel and Steffen Tigges secured a draw.
Heintz hits back
After a first quarter where both sides had their chances, it was FC Lugano who took the lead in the 38thminute. Former FC forward, Kacper Przybylko took aim from 25 yards and his shot squirmed through the legs of Marvin Schwäbe. Four minutes later, Dominique Heintz misjudged a long ball and that allowed Yanis Cimignani to round Schwäbe to score.
Gerhard Struber brought on Damion Downs for Tim Lemperle, although it was Timo Hübers who went closest to giving FC a way back into the game. After his header was saved and his volley went over the bar, Heintz atoned for his earlier error. He diverted home Eric Martel’s header from Florian Kainz’s cross to reduce the deficit.
Sponsel and Tigges level
FC had an immediate chance to level after Jan Thielmann broke through on goal, only to meet his match in a Lugano defender. The Swiss side defended well despite the FC pressure and would further add to their advantage. Georgios Koutsias’ shot wasn’t dealt with by Jonas Urbig and slipped into the back of the net.
Struber’s side were not to be deterred, however. Meiko Sponsel stuck out a big toe to divert Max Finkgräfe’s delivery into the far post. Three minutes later, a Damion Downs pass allowed Steffen Tigges to take the ball past his man and finish with aplomb to level the scores.
FC now return to Köln ahead of the friendly against Viktoria Köln on Tuesday 14th January at 14:00 CET. The first competitive game of 2025 sees FC travel to Hamburg to face Hamburger SV on Saturday 18thJanuary, with kick-off at 20:30 CET.
Line-ups
1. FC Köln first-half (3-4-1-2): Schwäbe – Hübers, Martel, Heintz – Gazibegovic, Ljubicic, Huseinbasic, Pacarada – Kainz – Maina, Lemperle (Downs 46’).
1. FC Köln second-half (3-4-2-1): Urbig - Sponsel, Telle, Carstensen - Thielmann, Kujovic, Huseinbasic (Tigges 72’), FInkgräfe - Obuz, Waldschmidt – Downs (Potocnik 91’).
Goals: 1:0, Przybylko 38’. 2:0, Cimignani 42’. 2:1, Heintz 58’. 3:1, Koutsias 79’. 3:2, Sponsel 84’. 3:3, Tigges 87’.
Referee: Marius Hansen Grøtta (NOR).
Booked: Huseinbasic (47’).
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