Even at half-time, 1. FC Köln seemed clearly on the road to victory in the Conference League game against FC Slovácko. Then FC makes it unnecessarily exciting again. In the end there is still a win.
When coach Steffen Baumgart returned to the sidelines, 1. FC Köln celebrated their first win in a European Cup group game in almost five years. Against FC Slovácko, an average performance at best was enough for the Cologne team to win 4-2 (2-0).
The fact that the game against the harmless surprise Czech Cup winner became a spectacle in the second half was unnecessary. Nevertheless, the FC got a good starting position in Group D of the Conference League.
Cologne coach Baumgart: “Affengeil”
For coach Baumgart, who was locked in the stands at the 1-1 start in Nice, it was the first European Cup victory – the playoffs are not counted in the official UEFA calculation. At 15 degrees, the coach in the red and white European Cup shirt walked along the sidelines as bravely as ever.
“Affengeil” was the feeling, said Baumgart on the RTL TV station. Overall, however, he seemed more relieved than euphoric. The first ten minutes of the second half were difficult for a coach to explain. “But it’s a young squad for that. It’s nice to be back after a 2-2 draw, and in my opinion to have played confidently again and again,” said the coach. Because of the second half, last half hour, the win was deserved.
The Armenians Sargis Adamyan (11th) and Florian Dietz (42nd) ensured the half-time lead after corner kicks from Linton Maina. Slovácko equalized after the break through Jan Kalabiška (49′) and 39-year-old ex-Augsburg Milan Petržela (53′). Ivan Ljubicic (65th/74th) scored the decisive goals from the penalty spot and then from the game to win. Positive: After the riots before the game in France, everything seemed peaceful in the game that was upgraded to a risky game.
A confused quarter of an hour strengthened the Slovaks
Baumgart had surprised with his line-up. He gave the three best players of the season – captain Jonas Hector, winger Florian Kainz and midfield strategist Ellyes Skhiri – a breather. Recently signed Nikola Soldo, son of former FC coach Zvonimir Soldo, made his debut in central defence.
The visitors from the small town of Uherské Hradiště in Moravian Slovakia almost caught FC completely on the wrong foot, but the Hanover-born Iraqi Merchas Doski hit the side netting with his shot after eleven seconds. But Cologne quickly took control and soon took the lead when Adamyan pushed a header from Luca Kilian over the line.
The Czechs around ex-Leverkusen captain Michal Kadlec, who were accompanied by around 100 fans, actually seemed harmless. Despite a mediocre first half, FC seemed clearly on the road to victory at the break. But with a confused first quarter of an hour after the change, the Cologne made the opponent strong again.
He could not only have equalized in this period. Baumgart had to bring on Hector and Skhiri after just under an hour, but Cologne needed a penalty to get back on track.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
