In Cologne, in the relegation final against 1. FC Union Berlin, everything, really everything, looks like 1. FC Cologne will be relegated for a long time. Then FC delivers a wild punch in the final phase and drags Union Berlin deep into the relegation battle. After the 3:2 the stadium escalates and the hope for a miracle returns.
The Cologne supporters, who left their seats in the 85th minute without any big words or gestures and ran towards the exit, will certainly not forget this afternoon in Müngersdorf so quickly. You missed the best part. It just came at the very end and really set the arena on fire.
And somehow it almost seemed as if 1. FC Köln, which was deeply worried about relegation, had borrowed some added time and joker luck from its neighbor a few kilometers further north in Leverkusen.
FC had already turned a game around in the final minutes against Bochum a few weeks ago, but then failed to win four games in a row. And probably very few FC fans would have expected a comeback in the final phase of this game before the 85th minute.
The starting position before kick-off was very clear: only with a win would 1. FC Köln remain in the race to stay in the league. Do or die. The problem from Cologne’s point of view: scoring goals hasn’t worked recently. The team always seemed to be trying hard, but offensively it was far too harmless. Only 24 goals were on the credit side before kick-off. So it’s no surprise that licensed game director Michael Kessler invoked the ketchup effect before the game. If the ball never wants to cross the line, it has to work at some point. But then it’s right.
“Heads hung at first”
And indeed, in the last minutes of the game, something came crashing out of the blocked FC bottle. Two goals and a lot of adrenaline and happiness hormones. FC only scored a total of three goals in the two derbies against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Things didn’t start well for the hosts on this 33rd matchday. There was an almost absurdly good mood around the stadium in a sunny 25 degrees, but Union gave FC two ice-cold showers before the 20th minute with two set pieces (a header after a corner and a penalty after a handball). They were big hits for the team and the spectators. The plug in the Cologne Arena was pulled for several minutes. The initial euphoria and good mood quickly disappeared.
After the game, the FC players emphasized that they always believed in themselves and that they could make a comeback, even if after the low blows they “hang their heads at first,” as captain Florian Kainz said, or even feel “a little broken,” like that as keeper Marvin Schwäbe put it in the mixed zone. “We are a team that has a good character and never gives up,” said Kainz, summing up the team’s will.
But it needed a little help to make a comeback. Thanks to another penalty (Rani Khedira brought down Timo Hübers), which Kainz safely converted, the hosts came back before the half-time whistle. With much applause, the FC supporters sent their team into the catacombs, true to the motto: “FC jeff Jas. He doesn’t give up (FC step on the gas, there’s no giving up here).”
“Suddenly everyone is back”
And Timo Schultz tried to find this accelerator pedal somewhere. The coach switched to a three-man chain and took more risks. All in – what else is left in a real endgame? He also brought in the offensive players Steffen Tigges, Mark Uth and Damion Downs. Schultz himself waved his arms wildly, whipping his team forward as well as the audience. The longer the game went on, the more often FC tried long balls to Tigges and defense chief Jeff Chabot, who could no longer be held back early on. But hardly anything compelling emerged. Faride Adilou’s great chance (50th) was the last big spark that FC ignited.
The discontent in the stands grew, as did the worry lines and suddenly it became noticeably quieter in the stadium. The tension was palpable. The sealed descent crept noticeably closer, minute by minute, wrapping itself around your neck like a constrictor. The FC still continued to fight against the impending defeat and also a draw. Then things got really wild. All three jokers played their part in the important home win. In the 87th minute, Uth fought on a Hübers cross while falling, Tigges headed it in, revitalizing the stadium.
“Suddenly everyone is back, every player, the whole stadium, pushing in again. Things happen so quickly in football,” said Kainz about the mood after the equalizer.
Cologne threw everything forward and took out the very last cartridges. Relief came in the third minute of added time. Linton Maina penetrated the penalty area on the left and found Downs at the far post, who nodded in again, kicking in the door for FC escalation. Complete ecstasy in the stadium. Cologne supporters in the south curve jumped over the fence overwhelmed and couldn’t believe their luck. Pyros flared, as did renewed hope.
Even experienced professionals like Dominique Heintz struggled for words afterwards: “I have goosebumps and tears in my eyes at 3-2,” he said after the final whistle. “Actually we were gone – dead. Suddenly you’re alive again. What a crazy game, almost like against Bochum. I thought the stadium would fly apart.” In fact, the decibel record in the Rhineland may have shattered this afternoon. “That’s not possible in many stadiums. We can be happy that the roof is still on,” said coach Schultz.
The starting position is still bad
When referee Deniz Aytekin blew the final whistle at 5:27 p.m., the fans continued to scream their emotions; most of the FC players no longer had the strength to do so and sank to the ground. Exhausted, partly suffering from cramps. Pumped out and knocked out by this crazy final spurt, which wasn’t really apparent in this form. Until the final phase, Cologne actually looked like a safe relegation team. You probably don’t know how exactly she took over the game again. “Somehow we turned the game around and earned ourselves another final,” said Kainz.
The team gathered at the center circle and immediately vowed. Then we took the victory lap through the stadium, which ended in front of the south curve. After a short speech from the fans, the team was celebrated. “World champions from the Rhing” chanted the people, celebrating their club and the hope of staying in the league, which minutes before no one had thought possible.
The starting position before the season finale is still extremely bad. It’s just become a little less hopeless. FSV Mainz 05 dismantled Borussia Dortmund in the evening and said goodbye to Cologne. Due to Mainz’s surprising 3-0 win against BVB, FC can at best still reach the relegation place. And that only with our own win in Heidenheim and a simultaneous Union defeat on the last match day. The goal difference will also play a role. Cologne has to make up four goals.
“Lossful Battle”
It will be a Herculean task that will also require help and perhaps luck. Especially as the personnel situation worsened. Since Benno Schmitz and Denis Huseinbasic will be missing from Heidenheim due to suspension and Luca Waldschmidt and Max Finkgräfe were injured, Schultz spoke of a “losing battle”.
The psychological advantage in the long-distance duel lies with the Cologne team. Schultz reported that there was still great disillusionment after the bitter 0-0 draw against Freiburg the previous week, but the mood in the team and training had changed very quickly. “There was something in the air,” said Schultz. “Perhaps it could even be one of the strangest relegations that has happened in a long time.” They have now proven that they are capable of doing this.
The lights are still on at 1. FC Köln. “We have to keep a cool head. We haven’t achieved anything yet, that has to be said,” warned Heintz against too much euphoria. “It was an important victory that you can give everything again on the last day of the match.” The football gods had a straw for us and we clung to it tightly. We have set a real example today. Also a sign to all FC fans.”
“Why do we do this to ourselves every time?” asked a Cologne fan as he entered the stands a good three quarters of an hour before kick-off. He received the answer in stoppage time at the latest.