With an effective phase of just seven minutes and beautifully scored goals, RB Leipzig clearly won against 1. FC Köln. FC is slipping deeper and deeper into the relegation vortex. Timo Schultz’s team quietly lost 1:5 (1:1) at the start of the 26th matchday on Friday evening (March 15, 2024).
Cologne quickly fell behind thanks to a placed low shot from Xavi Simons (15th). Dani Olmo and Benjamin Šeško did the preparatory work. But the Saxons’ joy didn’t last long: Eric Martel extended a corner from the right by Florian Kainz with his head onto the second post, where Sargis Admyan pushed the ball over the line from close range (18th).
To the live ticker: Cologne – Leipzig arrow right 26th matchday arrow right
Leipzig misses x best chances
As a result, the game calmed down a bit. Cologne defended attentively, but had to stay wide awake. At the latest when Simons served Lois Openda and he hit the goal, it was clear: Leipzig remained extremely dangerous – even if the goal was rightly disallowed due to an offside position. Šeško (30th), Benjamin Henrichs (42nd) and Dani Olmo (hit on the post, 45th) and Openda (45th + 3) also missed the best opportunities.
Cologne bad seven minutes
In the second half, RB bagged the victory within seven minutes: A double strike from Openda (63rd, 67th) swung the pendulum clearly towards a victory for the guests, Amadou Haïdara increased the score from 19 meters with a low shot (72nd). . Openda’s previous goals were, on the one hand, the result of an excellent interaction between the Belgian striker and Šeško and Simons, and on the other hand, an active David Raum served the attacker from the left with a cross to the head. Substitute Yussuf Poulsen used a cross from Henrichs from the right in the center forward position (82′). The last goal in particular once again revealed FC’s blatant defensive problems.
With this success, coach Marco Rose’s team overtook Borussia Dortmund and is currently fourth. Cologne is in the relegation zone and could be overtaken by 1. FSV Mainz (against Bochum) on Saturday.
“It was a lot of fun, especially at the end, but also hard work,” said Leipzig left-back David Raum on DAZN. Cologne’s Jeff Chabot struggled with the many goals conceded: “We definitely didn’t plan on collapsing. The fact that we got five things is of course bitter.”
Leipzig welcomes Mainz, Cologne in Augsburg
Leipzig will be hosting Mainz after the international break (Saturday, March 30th at 3:30 p.m.). A day later, FC face the Fuggerstädter away team (3:30 p.m.).