With Steffen Baumgart, 1. FC Cologne marches into unknown table regions.
Under their new coach, the Cologne team started the Bundesliga season with two home wins for the first time in five years and celebrated the leap into the top third of the table after the 2-1 (0-0) victory over VfL Bochum on Saturday.
The newcomer from the area, who could only win once in 30 Bundesliga games at FC, had to accept his second away defeat. Substitute Louis Schaub (82nd minute) and Tim Lemperle (90th + 1) scored the goals for the late victory in front of 25,000 spectators in the RheinEnergieStadion, which was sold out. Simon Zoller shortened to 1: 2 (90th + 4)
After two good performances at the start of the season, Baumgart had to improvise a lot in his second home game because the important offensive forces Jan Thielmann and Mark Uth were not available due to injuries.
That shouldn't hurt the hosts' attacking game, where Ondrej Duda and Sebastian Andersson were in the starting eleven for the first time this season.
Supported by the enthusiastic fans, the FC put the Revierelf under a lot of pressure and created constant danger, especially through the outer position, where Benno Schmitz was preferred to the right.
Modeste hits the post
The Bochumers, who started their promotion season with a lot of tailwind after their first win of the season against Mainz, competed in the victorious line-up with the exception of the injured right-back Cristian Gamboa at the brisk appearance of Cologne. At first, the guests were lucky that Anthony Modeste only hit the post (4th) and Dejan Ljubicic's goal was not given (15th).
The Bochumers fought their way into the game and came to relief attacks, but FC remained the dominant team and had more opportunities through Modeste, who hit the post for the second time in the 73rd minute, Duda and the good Jonas Hector. Like Schmitz on the right, the FC captain ensured many good actions over the outside positions.
In the intense game, which was characterized by many duels and interruptions, the guests defended themselves bravely, but remained far too harmless on the offensive. At Cologne's newcomer Luca Kilian made his debut in the second section and fitted in well in the central defense alongside Rafael Czichos. The two goal scorers also only came into the game in the second period. First, Schaub scored after Florian Kainz's preliminary work, then Lemperle scored the 2-0 before the former FC professional Zoller put the finishing touches.