1. FC Köln came from behind to earn a point against Hamburger SV on Saturday evening. Fabio Vieira’s lob opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Said El Mala levelled from a corner just before the break. Despite FC being the more active side in the second-half, neither side could force a winner.
Team news
Merlin Polzin opted for three alterations to the side that were victorious in Wolfsburg last time out. Warmed Omari, Fabio Vieira and Damion Downs came into the team in place of Daniel Elfadli, Philip Otele and Jean-Luc Dompe.
Lukas Kwasniok made one change to the team that started against Borussia Dortmund last weekend. Cenk Özkacar replaced Jahmai Simpson-Pusey following his red card.
Late leveller from El Mala
The game began somewhat slowly, despite Ísak Jóhannesson’s busy beginning. The Iceland international did his best to thread through Ragnar Ache, but his pass with just a tick too far ahead of the FC forward. Hamburg’s attempts to come forward were largely halted by the FC defence, with the home back-line doing well to marshall the FC front three.
The first real moment of excitement came as Jakub Kamiński’s delivery was cut-out at the near post. Kamiński has a strong shot blocked before Said El Mala produced a carbon-copy effort moments later, with that too being turned over by a Hamburg defender.
Just as FC seemed to be building up a head of steam, it was the home side that went ahead. A long ball forward from William Mikelbrencis played in Fabio Vieira, who produced a moment of class to lob Marvin Schwäbe on the angle. A blow after a promising first 40 minutes.
However, Kwasniok’s side didn’t let their heads drop and managed to get level on the stroke of half-time. Jakub Kamiński’s corner was flicked toward the back post by Cenk and Said El Mala was ready and waiting to nod home unmarked. A more than deserved equaliser.
No goals in the second-half
The second-half brought the first FC change, as Linton Maina replaced Youssoupha Niang at the break. Maina had the first real opening of the second period but his half-volley flew over the bar from the edge of the area.
That was one of the few highlights in the second-half, as FC failed to make the most of promising counter-attacks. Daniel Elfadli almost won it late on for Hamburg with a headed effort, whilst the same could be said of Eric Martel’s last-gasp header.
FC are next in action on Saturday, 21st March. Lukas Kwasniok’s side will take on Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Rheinderby at the RheinEnergieSTADION with kick-off at 15:30 CET.
Line-ups
Hamburger SV (3-4-3): Heuer Fernandes – Omari, Vuskovic, Torunarigha (Elfadli 79‘) – Mikelbrencis (Balde 79‘), Lokonga, Remberg, Muheim – Fabio Vieira (Otele 90+2’), Downs (Stange 67‘), Königsdörffer (Dompe 67‘).
1. FC Köln (4-2-3-1): Schwäbe – Krauß (Chávez 84‘), van den Berg, Cenk, Lund – Jóhannesson, Martel – Niang (Maina 46‘), Kamiński (Kainz 90+1‘), El Mala (Sebulonsen 74‘) – Ache (Bülter 74‘).
Goals: 1:0, Fabio Vieira 39‘. 1:1, El Mala 45‘.
Referee: Tobias Welz (Wiesbaden)
Booked: El Mala (32‘), Lund (36‘), Remberg (41‘), Kamiński (76‘), Muheim (90+7‘), Sebulonsen (90+8‘).
Sent-off: None.
Attendance: 57,000 (sold-out).