Despite all the circumstances, FC, like its tireless coach Steffen Baumgart, gave everything in front of 10,000 spectators in the Dreisamstadion.

The 49-year-old paced back and forth in his coaching zone and was even more present than his equally emotional colleague Christian Streich, who at least allowed himself a few breaks from time to time on the seat.

Streich called the former striker a “sumo wrestler” before the game due to his unusual movements on the sidelines.

After a hectic initial phase, the Cologne team took control of a game in which they tried their luck again and again via cross runs.

Both the full-backs Benno Schmitz and Jonas Hector and the more offensive Florian Kainz and Salih Özcan regularly set accents over the wings.

And the longer the game lasted, the more dangerous the FC became.

Modeste beheads

After a cross from Kainz, Sebastian Andersson (27th) initially headed just over the gate.

Six minutes later Schmitz then crossed in the direction of Modeste, who prevailed in an aerial duel against Lukas Kübler and headed into the goal to lead.

It was already the third goal of the season for the French, who had been helped by Baumgart to regain their strength - the 33-year-old scored all three with his head.

Freiburg had a hard time with the unpleasant guests.

Streich's team rarely found solutions in the build-up game against the aggressively defending almost relegated from the previous season.

The SC only became a little more dangerous after the break.

After a free kick from the half-field, Nico Schlotterbeck, who had advanced into the sixteen-meter space, headed the ball across to Lucas Höler, who failed at the brilliantly reacting FC goalkeeper Timo Horn. 

The sports club increased the pressure late, also because Cologne's Kainz had to leave the field with yellow-red after repeated foul play around a quarter of an hour before the final whistle.

Now at the latest, SC coach Streich was in top form on the sidelines and had to watch as substitute Kevin Schade (78th) aimed just past the goal.

But then Czichos hit his own goal.