Enlarge image
Cologne's goalscorer Max Finkgräfe (right) in a duel with Kevin Akpoguma
Photo: Jörg Halisch / Getty Images
TSG Hoffenheim continues to turn the fight for the European places in the Bundesliga into a snail race. The 1:1 (0:0) at home against 1. FC Köln meant the seventh league game in a row without a win for TSG, but Cologne has been unbeaten in three games. Youngster Max Finkgräfe scored the opening goal for the guests with a direct free kick (79th minute), Andrej Kramarić equalized late on (90th + 4th).
This means that the Cologne team, coached by Timo Schultz, now have 16 points – four more than Mainz and Darmstadt, who are currently in the direct relegation zone. The relegation place seems safe for Cologne at the moment, but Cologne is five points short of Union Berlin in 15th place. Hoffenheim is in eighth place with 27 points.
The basis of the Cologne game was a strong defense: Hoffenheim, who had already been without a win in the Bundesliga for six games before this matchday, presented themselves completely harmless in attack. The TSG attackers were rarely able to assert themselves against the Cologne defense; Ihlas Bebou's finish (14th) was initially the most dangerous at a manageable level.
After 68 minutes, Hoffenheim's Pellegrino Matarazzo brought, among others, the regular starters Anton Stach and Kramarić into the game. This was supposed to bring new impetus forward - but this didn't come initially. Because Cologne hardly played forward, the encounter seemed to be heading towards a goalless draw.
Finkgräfe is celebrated
Then the guests, whose fan block had meanwhile thrown apples onto the field in protest against the DFL investor plans, received a free kick almost 25 meters in front of the goal. The 19-year-old Finkgräfe took advantage of the opportunity with a well-kicked ball to score his first Bundesliga goal (79'). The final point belonged to Kramarić, who received too little pressure in the penalty area and was able to sink a left-foot shot late on (90th + 4).
cev