1. FC Köln failed to capitalise on their dominance against FC St. Pauli and conceded a late goal in a 1:1 draw. Said El Mala gave FC a deserved lead but countless chances weren’t taken as a late Ricky-Jade Jones header slipped into the far post with the last kick of the game.
Team news
Lukas Kwasniok made four changes to the side that started the draw against Werder Bremen. Dominique Heintz, Cenk, Ísak Jóhannesson and Alessio Castro-Montes were replaced by Rav van den Berg, Tom Krauß, Denis Huseinbašić and Luca Waldschmidt.
Alexander Blessin named the same team that began the DFB-Pokal win against Borussia Mönchengladbach during the week.
Level at the break
The first-half produced little in the way of chances in Müngersdorf. Whilst the visitors played the waiting game on the counter, which left Marvin Schwäbe a spectator fort he first 45 minutes, FC did their utmost to find a way through the compact defensive block.
Said El Mala broke through in the eighth minute, though his touch allowed Nikola Vasilj to come out and smother his chance well. The best opening followed in the 20th minute, as Vasilj brilliantly denied el Mala’s poked effort. The rebound fell to Luca Waldschmidt, and his shot was turned onto the post by Eric Smith on the line. Sebastian Sebulonsen had a third bite at the cherry, only for Vasilj to palm away his half-volley.
St. Pauli continued to wait on a counter chance, though Sebulonsen and Martel did well to deal with any threats along their side of the pitch. A stalemate of a first-half produced no goals as both sides went in level.
El Mala goal not enough
FC finally got the goal they deserved in the 51st minute. Luca Waldschmidt’s clearance rose high into the Müngersdorf evening sky and fell for Said El Mala, who charged 60 yards whilst being fouled by Mathias Pereira Lage to then fire past Vasilj and register his sixth goal of the campaign.
Massive chances fell FC’s way through Luca Waldschmidt and Tom Krauß, but Vasilj continued to be a thorn in the hosts‘ side. The best chance fell the way of Florian Kainz late on, who failed to spot Ísak Jóhannesson free in the middle and shot straight at Vasilj. Instead, it was a late header from Ricky-Jade Jones slid past Marvin Schwäbe, who slipped at the vital moment as the ball trundled into the net.
FC are next in action on Saturday, 13th December against Bayer Leverkusen. Kick-off at the BayArena is at 18:30 CET.
Line-ups
1. FC Köln (3-4-3): Schwäbe – Sebulonsen, Martel, van den Berg – Thielmann, Huseinbašić (Jóhannesson 74‘), Krauß (Kainz 82‘), Kamiński – Waldschmidt (Lund 88‘), El Mala (Maina 82‘), Bülter (Ache 74‘).
FC St. Pauli (3-5-2): Vasilj – Wahl (Dźwigała 46‘), Mets (Ceesay 86‘), Smith – Pyrka, Irvine, Fujita, Sands (Sinani 74‘), Oppie – Pereira Lage (Jones 68‘), Kaars (Metcalfe 68‘).
Goals: 1:0, El Mala 51‘. 1:1, Jones 90+4‘.
Referee: Tobias Reichel (Sindelfingen).
Booked: Sinani (90+5‘).
Attendance: 50,000 (sold-out).