Joker stands out against Frankfurt
Modeste brings Cologne back on course for Europe
2/19/2022, 8:26 p.m
For a long time it looks like a goalless draw between 1. FC Köln and Eintracht Frankfurt on the 23rd match day of the Bundesliga. But then, of course, meets Anthony Modeste. And brings Cologne back within reach of a Champions League spot.
Anthony Modeste, who else? Half an hour on the pitch after a week’s illness was enough for the Frenchman to once again become the match winner of 1. FC Köln. Modeste scored his 15th goal of the season (84th) in the 1-0 (0-0) win against Eintracht Frankfurt, thus extending the Hessians’ curse on Saturday night. They have now gone 15 straight games without a win on Saturday at 6.30pm – in 11 defeats. Incidentally, Eintracht celebrated their last success at this kick-off time in 2016 in a 1-0 win against FC.
While the people of Cologne, who were only saved in the relegation last season, will occupy a place in the European Cup eleven games before the end of the season after the deserved success, another European Cup qualification for the Hessians is becoming ever more distant. In six games in 2022, they took just four points and remain tenth.
After FC failed on Friday with an application for an injunction both before the Higher Administrative Court and before the Constitutional Court of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, the club was only allowed to let 10,000 visitors into its arena. Timo Horn, dethroned after more than ten years as number one, was in goal for Cologne again, as Marvin Schwäbe was absent due to illness. For the native of Cologne, it was the first appearance since November 21 and the 328th overall for the FC professional team. However, it is not yet known whether Horn, who has a contract until 2023, is aiming for a change in the summer or whether he wants to concentrate on regaining his regular place.
Joker Modeste stabs fast and late
In the game on Saturday, which was only fast at the beginning, he initially had few opportunities to excel. Frankfurt had the first big chance early on through Sebastian Rode, but when he shot, captain Jonas Hector Horn took over the work and blocked (9′). And Jesper Lindström missed the shot (35′). FC was more dominant and always striving for speed, but above all the Frankfurt defensive group seemed more vulnerable. But national keeper Kevin Trapp was careful, saved against Dejan Ljubicic (25th) and also against Sebastian Andersson (25th), Salih Özcan also headed wide from close range (26th).
After the break, the game threatened to slack off, but in the 58th minute the Cologne crowd suddenly erupted: Modeste, who only returned to the training ground on Wednesday after being ill, was preparing to come on as a substitute. The Frenchman came three minutes later. And he seemed very motivated. The Cologne team kept trying, but acted a bit hectic and awkward – until Joker Modeste was suddenly able to run freely towards the Frankfurt goal. He didn’t let the chance pass him by.