Arminia also loses under Kostmann: Cologne stays on course for Europe

Created: 04/23/2022Updated: 04/23/2022, 17:34

Cologne's Dejan Ljubicic (l) and Bielefeld's George Bello fight for the ball. © Marius Becker/dpa

Arminia Bielefeld falls almost unchecked towards the 2nd Bundesliga, even under interim coach Marco Kostmann - and that despite an own goal gift from the opponent.

In the first game under the previous goalkeeper coach Kostmann, the largely harmless Arminia suffered a 1:3 (1:2) defeat at 1. FC Köln and, three games before the end of the season, as the penultimate one, is still in a direct relegation zone.

Cologne – The duel with Hertha BSC next weekend is of crucial importance.

Bielefeld has taken one point from the past eight games.

On the other hand, the people of Cologne celebrated their third win in a row and are dreaming more than ever of the European Cup.

FC is currently in seventh place, which should be enough for the leap to Europe.

In addition, the Rhinelanders have already matched their record since the introduction of the three-point rule with 49 points.

Mark Uth (3rd minute) who was outstanding before the break with Cologne's earliest first division goal in 16 years, Anthony Modeste with his 17th goal of the season (43rd) and Joker Jan Thielmann (86th) scored the goals for Cologne.

Timo Hübers scored an own goal to equalize (33').

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Kostmann, who had only changed twice due to injury and otherwise trusted his predecessor's staff, explained before kick-off that the promotion had been "a bit of a shock" and had "shaken him up quite a bit".

He became emotional in the early stages as well.

At first, the Cologne team took the lead after 123 seconds through Uth on the assist of Jonas Hector.

And then bad memories were awakened in the entire Arminia entourage.

After Fabian Klos, Cedric Brunner and Fabian Kunze were eliminated from three consecutive games with head injuries, Alessandro Schöpf and Hector banged their heads and had to be treated for minutes.

While Hector was led into the dressing room and apparently needed stitches, Schöpf continued playing.

Hector ran back onto the field nine minutes later with a head bandage but gave up after fifteen minutes.

Cologne had survived the temporary deficit without any problems.

Again eleven, the FC pushed for the second goal.

And whenever things got dangerous, Uth was involved.

In the 32nd minute he hit the bar with a free kick from a tight angle.

Then the equalizer came out of nowhere and Patrick Wimmer duped both Cologne central defenders: First he took the ball from Luca Kilian's foot, then he shot Hübers, who could no longer avoid it.

But the goal gave Bielefeld no security and ten minutes later Modeste put Cologne ahead on Uth's assist.

After scoring, the Frenchman ran behind the goal where he had deposited a pack of the coffee he had produced in an FC bag and held it up to the camera.

After the break, the previously hectic game was really broken up.

But the Arminia was now better against it.

Substitute Burak Ince's huge chance to equalize was thwarted by FC goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe with a strong foot defense (84').

Shortly thereafter, Thielmann decided the game.

dpa