1. FC Köln head into the international break with a win thanks to Said El Mala’s mazy run in the first-half. The 1:0 win was secured by a brave team performance, with TSG Hoffenheim unable to find a way through the FC defence on Friday evening at the PreZero Arena.
Team news
Christian Ilzer opted for three alterations after Hoffenheim’s one-all draw in Freiburg. Arthur Chaves, Alexander Prass and Andrej Kramaric dropped to the bench for Albian Hajdari, Muhammed Damar and Tim Lemperle.
Lukas Kwasniok also made three changes to the side that started the game against VfB Stuttgart on Sunday. Dominique Heintz, Kristoffer Lund and Said El Mala replaced Tom Krauß, Linton Maina and Ragnar Ache.
Ahead at the break
The game began with the expected high-intensity from both sides. Marvin Schwäbe was called into action almost straight away, producing a fine stop from close range to deny Muhammed Damar, who looked destined to find the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
FC were keen to make the most of counter-attacks and, in the 16th minute, that is how Lukas Kwasniok’s side found the lead. Eric Martel dispossessed Wouter Burger and Said El Mala went on a mazy 40-yard run before going past three Hoffenheim defenders to find fire through Oliver Baumann’s legs.
Schwäbe continued to be a thorn in the Hoffenheim side, as he produced further impressive saves to deny Bazoumana Touré at the near post and Fisnik Asllani just before the half-time break. Sandwiched between was a penalty for Hoffenheim, after Eric Martel was adjudged to have handled in the area. After video replays, Felix Zwayer correctly decided to rule out the spot-kick.
Battle to the end
The second-half began with a change as Ragnar Ache replaced Jan Thielmann. Hoffenheim were on top in the early stages and FC had Joël Schmied to thank for an incredible block to deny the dangerous Touré from close range.
From there, the game went from end to end. El Mala, Jakub Kamiński and Sebastian Sebulonsen had efforts saved or blocked. At the other end, FC could only watch on as Grischa Prömel sent a free header over the bar from six yards out. Vladimir Coufal’s cross caught everyone off guard, including Ihlas Bebou, who just missed the ball at full stretch in front of an open goal. Kamiński then marched down the other end, only to be denied the decider by a fine save from Oliver Baumann to his left.
The five minutes of added time passed without incident as the visiting fans’ nervous energy turned to joy at the sound of the final whistle.
FC head into the international break with 10 points after six games, leaving Lukas Kwasniok’s side in fourth place overnight. FC return to action on Saturday 18th October against FC Augsburg. Kick-off at the RheinEnergieSTADION is at 15:30 CEST.
Line-ups
TSG Hoffenheim (4-2-2-2): Baumann – Coufal, Hranac, Hajdari, Bernardo (Prass 89’) – Avdullalu (Prömel 64’), Burger – Damar (Kramaric 70’), Touré – Lemperle (Bebou 64’), Asllani (Moerstedt 70’).
1. FC Köln (3-4-2-1): Schwäbe, Schmied, Hübers, Heintz (Cenk 71’) – Sebulonsen, Jóhannesson (Huseinbašić 84’), Martel, Lund (Krauß 84’) – Thielmann (Ache 46’), El Mala (Maina 71’) – Kamiński.
Goal: 0:1, El Mala 16‘.
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Berlin).
Booked: Touré (10‘), Bernardo (20‘), Berger (39‘), Sebulonsen (90+4’).
Attendance: 30,150 (sold-out).