1. FC Köln continued their good form following the international break. A Tim Lemperle header in the second-half was enough to claim all three points in the Preußenstadion.
Team news
Sascha Hildmann opted for one alteration after their late draw against Karlsruher SC last time out, as Andras Nemeth replaced Joel Grodowski.
Gerhard Struber also made one change to the side that started the 1:0 win against Greuther Fürth before the international break. Luca Waldschmidt came into the line-up in place of Jan Thielmann.
Stalemate at the break
It was a first-half of few chances in Münster. As the hosts attempted to play out from the back, FC pressed hard and created an early opening but Eric Martel’s effort was easily held by Johannes Schenk in the home goal.
In Sascha Hildmann’s 200th game as head coach of SC Preußen Münster, they were aggressive and keen to put FC under pressure as and when they could. However, they were unable to test Marvin Schwäbe throughout the first period.
The latter stages of the first 45 saw Struber’s side turn up the pressure. Luca Waldschmidt brought a solid stop out of Schenk from 25 yards, while Linton Maina’s late turn of pace and curling effort from the edge of the box edged just over the crossbar.
Lemperle the difference maker
Jano ter Horst almost started the second-half with a real bang, smacking the crossbar from all of 30 yards with a stunning strike. FC took full advantage, opening the scoring just five minutes later. A cross from Dejan Ljubicic was met by Tim Lemperle, who guided the ball into the bottom corner to send the away end wild.
Joshua Mees did his utmost to try and turn the game around for the hosts, yet his shot from 20 yards trickled wide before Marvin Schwäbe was able to grab ahold of his header at the back post. There were little in the way of chances late on, with FC able to control the game until the very end.
FC move up to third place for the time being after Friday night’s victory. Struber’s side are next in action on Saturday, 30th November against Hannover 96. Kick-off at the RheinEnergieSTADION was at 13:00 CET.
Line-ups
SC Preußen Münster (4-4-2): Schenk – ter Horst, Koulis, Frenkert, Kirkeskov – Bouchama (Lorenz 71‘), Hendrix, Preißinger (Korte 71‘), Makridis (Amenyido 78‘) – Mees, Nemeth.
1. FC Köln (3-4-1-2): Schwäbe – Pauli, Hübers (Olesen 24‘), Heintz – Ljubicic, Martel, Huseinbasic, Pacarada – Waldschmidt (Kainz 68‘) – Lemperle (Downs 87‘), Maina.
Goals: 0:1, Lemperle 51’.
Referee: Felix Prigan (Deizisau).
Booked: Preißinger (28’), Pacarada (55’), Korte (79’), Amenyido (90+5’).
Attendance: 12,422 (sold-out).
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