1. FC Köln are through to the second-round of the DFB-Pokal. It was a real battle on the Dallenberg, as Würzburger Kickers went ahead early on through David Abrangao. It wasn’t until the 62nd minute where Ísak Jóhannesson got FC back on level terms. It was the Icelandic international who added a second 15 minutes later to seal a path into Round 2.
Team news
Michael Schiele made two changes to the team that started their 4:0 win against SV Wehen Wiesbaden last weekend. Marko Rajkovacic and Philipp Ochs came into the side in place of Johann Hipper and Ivan Franjic.
René Wagner gave starting debuts to two new signings, with Luka Lochoshvili and Gideon Mensah taking their spot in the starting line-up.
Behind at the break
FC had the better of the early knockings and were the more active side in the first 15 minutes. Ragnar Ache’s powerful header was pushed wide by Marko Rajkovacic, whilst Said El Mala’s deflected over by the impressive Würzburg stopper.
As the early pressure subsided, the hosts went ahead with their first real chance in the 18th minute. A corner wasn’t properly cleared and fell to the feet of Tim Kraus. His cross took a deflection on the way to goal, with David Abrangao able to bustle past the FC defenders and somehow bundle the ball into the back of the net.
Wagner’s men went in search of an equaliser, with the majority of the attacks going through Said El Mala. After a clever ball from Ísak Jóhannesson, he slipped just before his shot and Rajkovacic was able to deal with the danger once more. Despite a late surge, it was Würzburg who held onto their lead at the break.
Jóhannesson at the double
FC started the second-half unable to find a way through the stubborn home defence. It was just after the hour mark where a breakthrough came. After a quick throw-in, Marius Bülter’s low cross was deflected into the path of Ísak Jóhannesson, who managed to bundle the ball into the bottom corner to level the game.
After a second was disallowed moments later, Jóhannesson wasn’t to be denied again. After some neat play on the wing from Linton Maina, the Icelandic international managed to curl home perfectly into the bottom corner and past the outstretched arm of the helpless Rajkovacic.
FC had a late chance to kill the game in the 87th minute, though Thijs Dallinga was unable to convert from Said El Mala’s delivery. Instead it was the hosts who went close to a late leveller. A deep cross from Ivan Franjic was met at the back post by Liam Omore, though his volley cannoned out off the post. FC were through to Round 2.
Wagner’s side are next in action on Saturday, 29th August against TSG Hoffenheim. Kick-off in the first Bundesliga game of the season is at 15:30 CEST at the RheinEnergieSTADION.
Line-ups
Würzburger Kickers (3-4-1-2): Rajkovacic – Eberle, Hägele, Farahnak (Evina 86’) – Omore, Kinsombi (Muteba 84’), Embaye (Kiefersauer 84’), Abrangao – Ochs (Franjic 71’) – Bonga, Kraus (Nischalke 71’).
1. FC Köln (4-2-3-1): Schwäbe – Castro-Montes, Simpson-Pusey, Lochoshvili (Schmied 83’), Mensah (Skhiri 75’) – Jóhannesson, Krauß – Thielmann (Maina 75’), Bülter, El Mala (Okon-Engstler 89’) – Ache (Dallinga 75’).
Goals: 1:0, Abrangao 18’. 1:1, Jóhannesson 62’. 1:2, Jóhannesson 77’.
Referee: Martin Petersen (Stuttgart).
Booked: Ache (58’).
Attendance: 13,090 (sold-out).
