2. Bundesliga - 24. Matchday

1. FC Köln fell to a 1:0 defeat to Karlsruher SC on Saturday evening at the BBBank Wildpark. An own-goal from Timo Hübers in the 52^nd minute proved to be the difference between the two teams.

Team news

Christian Eichner opted for just one alteration after the win against Magdeburg. Dzenis Burnic came into the line-up in place of Robin Heußer.

Gerhard Struber made three changes to the side that started against Fortuna Düsseldorf last weekend. Eric Martel, Max Finkgräfe and Damion Downs replaced Mathias Olesen, Leart Paçarada and Imad Rondić.

Level at the break

The first-half provided little in the way of chances for both sides. Damion Downs had FC’s best opportunity after a curling through ball from Jusuf Gazibegović. However, when one-on-one with Max Weiß, it was the Karlsruhe ‘keeper who came out on top in their duel.

Karlsruhe never really troubled Marvin Schwäbe in the first period. A Marvin Wanitzek free-kick didn’t trouble anyone, whilst Dejan Ljubicic and Dominique Heintz both shot and headed straight at Weiß in the Karlsruhe goal. An intense half with few chances ended goalless.

Hübers’ own-goal decisive

The second-half started as the first ended, only with a breakthrough for the hosts. Christoph Kobald managed to bundle his way into the box from the right and crossed low into the middle. Jusuf Gazibegović looked to have cleared, only for the ball to strike Timo Hübers and bounce into the FC net.

Struber’s side were unable to force a clear-cut chance against a KSC side who defended bravely and attempted to create openings on the counter. Instead, it was Marvin Schwäbe who denied Fabian Schleusner late on from adding a second for the home side.

FC are next in action on Saturday 8^th March against SSV Ulm. Kick-off at the Donaustadion is at 13:00 CET.

Line-ups

Karlsruher SC (3-5-2): Weiß – Kobald, Franke, Beifus – Jung (Pinto Pedrosa 87‘), Burnic (Heußer 63‘), Rapp (Jensen 77‘), Wanitzek, Günther (Herold 63‘) – Kaufmann (Ben Farhat 87‘), Schleusener.

1. FC Köln (3-3-2-2): Schwäbe – Hübers, Schmied (Huseinbasic 56‘), Heintz – Gazibegović, Martel, Finkgräfe – Ljubičić (Waldschmidt 85‘), Kainz – Downs, Maina (Rondić 39‘).

Goals: 1:0, Hübers OG 52’.

Referee: Richard Hempel (Großnaundorf).

Booked: Kobald (3’), Kainz (22’), Burnic (42’), Kaufmann (79’), Hübers (81’), Ben Farhat (90‘), Heintz (90‘).

Attendance: 32,190.