2. Bundesliga - 28. Matchday

1. FC Köln fell to a 1:0 defeat against Hertha BSC on Saturday evening at the RheinEnergieSTADION. Fabian Reese’s stunning strike just after the break secured the win for the visitors.

Team news

Gerhard Struber made just one change to the side that started the game against SC Paderborn last weekend. Dominique Heintz replaced Max Finkgräfe in the line-up.

Stefan Leitl also opted for a solitary alteration to the team that began the 3:1 win against Karlsruher SC. Marten Winkler came in for Marton Dardai.

Level at the break

Despite the early intensity, chances were few and far between in the early knockings of the game. Leart Paçarada’s dipping effort was the closest FC came before Imad Rondić’s glancing header saw Tjark Ernst tested for the first time.

Hertha responded moments later, with a bustling run from Fabian Reese teeing up Marten Winkler at the back post. Instead of a tap-in, Winkler failed to connect with the ball and the chance came and went.

FC’s best opening in the first period fell to Eric Martel. After good play for Tim Lemperle and Denis Huseinbašić, Martel drilled the ball just wide from the edge of the box. Ibrahim Maza caused a sharp intake of air for the FC fans just before the break, with his shot crashing out off the post moments before the half-time whistle.

Reese with the winner

The second-half got off to the worst possible start from an FC perspective. Fabian Reese cut in from the right-hand side and was left largely to his own devices. That time and space allowed Reese to pick out the far top corner before wheeling away to celebrate with the travelling fans after just 57 seconds.

FC almost issued an immediate response through Luca Waldschmidt, though Tjark Ernst made a smart save low to his right. Though it was the only real moment of note. Derry Scherhant had three great chances to extend Hertha’s lead, only to see Marvin Schwäbe shoot twice before blazing over from 14 yards.

Winkler, after his first-half miss, had another excellent chance at the back post midway through the second-half. This time, the Hertha winger made contact with the ball but met his match in Schwäbe. FC’s best opening came just before the final whistle. An incredible, curving through-ball from Florian Kainz picked out the run of the returning Damion Downs. His chip on the angle was batted away by Ernst, as Hertha came away with the three points.

FC are next in action on Friday, 11^th April against SpVgg Greuther Fürth. Kick-off at the Sportpark Ronhof Thomas Sommer is 18:30 CEST.

Line-ups

1. FC Köln (3-4-1-2): Schwäbe – Schmied, Martel, Heintz (Finkgräfe 65’) – Thielmann (Pauli 73’), Olesen (Ljubičić 65’), Huseinbašić, Paçarada – Waldschmidt (Kainz 77’) – Rondić (Downs 77’), Lemperle.

Hertha BSC (3-3-2-2): Ernst – Gechter, Leistner, Zeefuik – Kenny, Demme, Winkler (Karbownik 84’) – Cuisance (Bouchalakis 89’), Maza (Sessa 73’) – Reese, Scherhant (Schuler 73’).

Goal: 0:1, Reese 46’.

Referee: Sven Jablonski (Bremen).

Booked: Kenny (19’), Lemperle (20’), Cuisance (35’), Gechter (42’), Demme (82’).

Attendance: 50,000 (sold-out).