1. FC Köln came back from behind to earn a share of the spoils against FC Augsburg. Fabian Rieder opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 54th minute before Said El Mala came off the bench to level the scores in the 76th minute.
Team news
Lukas Kwasniok made just one change from the win against Hoffenheim before the international break. Luca Waldschmidt replaced Said El Mala.
Sandro Wagner also opted for one alteration from the side that won against Wolfsburg. Anton Kade came in for Elvis Rexhbecaj in midfield.
Level at the break
FC were the dominant side from the get-go in Müngersdorf. Despite Anton Kade getting off the first shot of the game, it was the only real opening of note from the visitors. Kwasniok’s side were enjoying space out wide but Finn Dahmen was alert to cut out dangerous crosses from Ísak Jóhannesson and Jakub Kamiński.
It was the Pole who came closest to opening the scoring in the first period. A quick counter saw FC cut through the middle. Jan Thielmann played the ball to Kamiński, though his shot from the edge of the box crashed off the outside of the post and behind.
Otherwise, despite FC being the more dangerous side, there was nothing to separate the sides going into the break.
El Mala levels after Rieder penalty
The second-half didn’t get off to the best of starts from an FC perspective. Dominique Heintz brought down Anton Kade in the box and Timo Gerach pointed straight to the spot. Fabian Rieder stepped up and despite Marvin Schwäbe going the right way, was beaten by his powerful penalty in the 54th minute.
FC pressed for an equaliser and deservedly got one in the 76th minute. Said El Mala picked up a Marius Bülter before moving forward, darting into the box and then finding the top corner was a rocket from 14 yards.
The hosts were the more active team until the end but were unable to bring the ball over the line. FC are next in action on Saturday 25th October against Borussia Dortmund. Kick-off at the Westfalenstadion is at 18:30 CEST.
Line-ups
1. FC Köln (3-4-2-1): Schwäbe – Schmied, Hübers, Heintz (El Mala 60’) – Sebulonsen (Huseinbašić 74’), Jóhannesson, Martel, Lund (Kainz 74’) – Waldschmidt (Bülter 60’), Kamiński – Thielmann (Ache 74’).
FC Augsburg (4-4-2): Dahmen – Jakic, Matsima, Banks (Zesiger 85’), Giannoulis – Fellhauer, Massengo, Kade (Wolf 90+5’), Saad (Claude-Maurice 46’) – Rieder (Essende 85’), Kömür (Tietz 76’).
Goals: 0:1, Rieder (PEN) 54’. 1:1, El Mala 76’.
Referee: Timo Gerach (Landau).
Booked: Kade (7‘), Jakic (20‘), Jóhannesson (61’), Thielmann (64’).
Attendance: 50,000 (sold-out).