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Intense duel between 1. FC Köln and Union Berlin
Photo:
Federico Gambarini / dpa
In the Sunday afternoon game of the 6th Bundesliga matchday, 1. FC Köln lost 0:1 (0:1) against Union Berlin in their own stadium.
Due to the success, the Berliners even climbed to first place ahead of FC Bayern Munich for a short time, but can still be overtaken by SC Freiburg, who welcome Borussia Mönchengladbach at 5.30 p.m.
Both 1. FC Köln and Union Berlin had been busy in a European cup competition during the week.
Accordingly, both coaches brought fresh strength and changed several times.
Five new players each made the starting XI for FC and Union, including Lennart Grill making his season debut in goal for the guests, and Timo Baumgartl was back in the squad for the first time since his cancer.
As soon as the players had sorted themselves out on the pitch, the score was already 0:1: Sheraldo Becker wanted to put the ball in the middle from the left wing, Cologne's Timo Hübers kept his foot in and falsified the ball into his goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe's unstoppable own goal (3rd minute).
The game remained eventful: a few minutes later, referee Benjamin Cortus awarded the visitors a hand penalty, but Schwäbe was even able to stop Jordan Siebatcheu's poor attempt (10').
Again just four minutes later, Union celebrated again, but Becker was offside by a few centimeters when he scored (14th).
In the 25th minute, Siebatcheu headed just wide of the right post.
Maina fails in a duel with Grill
Union goalkeeper Grill only had to intervene after half an hour when Linton Maina shot.
Köln started the game hesitantly and had another chance just before half-time, but Kristian Pedersen headed wide of the right post after a corner kick (41').
The second half began on the Cologne side with a new attacker - Steffen Tigges came on for Florian Dietz - and their best chance of the game so far: Maina ran towards the Berlin goal under pressure from Diogo Leite and failed with his finish to Grill (47th).
On the other side, a flick from Christopher Trimmel landed on the crossbar (58th).
Cologne's Luca Kilian saw yellow-red for a tactical foul on the center line (81st).
After 90 minutes, the 13th game in a row without a Berlin defeat was certain.
Things continue for both teams during the week: 1. FC Köln welcomes 1. FC Slovacko in the Conference League, Union Berlin travels to Sporting Braga in the Europa League (Thursdays, 9 p.m.).
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