Düsseldorf waste a two-goal lead against Cologne
For the 80th RheinDerby in history, Cologne and Fortuna Düsseldorf were unable to separate themselves in a RheinEnergieStadion behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Uwe Rösler’s men may have some regrets by failing to maintain their two-goal lead by conceding twice in the final minutes.
A week after a bitter draw in Mainz despite leading by two goals, Cologne were back at the RheinEnergieStadion to host Düsseldorf as part of the closing match of the 27th day of the Bundesliga. If the end of the season promises to be quiet enough for the Effzeh, the bell sound is not the same for Düsseldorf. Currently in the relegation play-off spot, Fortuna was under pressure before the match following the victory of Werder Bremen the day before.
Valon Berisha’s team-mates, however, look to be in better form lately, having suffered only one defeat in seven games since Uwe Rösler took charge. A match that was expected to be closely advantaged, despite the absence of Kaan Ayhan in defence in Dusseldorf, as Markus Gisdol (Cologne coach) reminded before the match.
“It’s going to be a big challenge for us. They have lost only one of their last seven games.”
Cologne had much the same team that had conceded the draw last week in Mainz (2–2), with two changes. On the bench last week, Kingsley Ehizibue regained his starting spot as right-back in place of Benno Schmitz. The same goes for the young Ismail Jakobs (20), who replaces Jan Thielmann.
On the Düsseldorf side, no less than five changes were made by Uwe Rösler after the disappointing draw against Paderborn (0–0). Suspended for yellow cards, Kaan Ayhan has given way to the experienced Mathias Jorgensen. Adam Bodzek, still too fair last week, made his return to the midfield thus relegating Marcel Sobottka to the bench. The iconic captain was lined up alongside Alfredo Morales, preferred to Austrian international Markus Suttner in the starting line-up. Finally, the last change made by Rasler surprised many, with the tenure of Steven Skrzybski, who had played only five games this season, in place of Valon Berisha.
Cologne dominates but remains harmless
From the first minutes, the tone was displayed by Cologne, who was more enterprising though sterile. It was not until the quarter of an hour of play to see the first big opportunity with a nice ladle from Cordoba bound for Uth in the penalty area. However, the former Schalke striker will not have time to get the ball back before Kastenmeier dives into his feet (0–0; 14').
However, Cologne’s long play to quickly find Cordoba in attack was rather clumsy, and the recovery errors were frequent, endangering the Effzeh’s defence. Following a missed rebound from Leistner, Karaman narrowly missed the opening goal, but it was without counting on the vigilance of Timo Horn (0–0; 20').
Seeming to have quickly understood the intentions and tactics of the Cologne players, the pressing Düsseldorf became more and more intense as the first period progressed. Totally distraught, Cologne’s defence multiplied the errors, until a missed rebound in defence of the young Noah Katterbach cost them the opening score.
Well served by Steven Skrzybski, Kenan Karaman’s strike, countered by Toni Leistner, deceived a helpless Timo Horn (0–1; 40'). The former Hanover striker continues his good form with four goals from the last five games, bringing to six total over the season.
It was with a well-deserved goal lead that Fortuna Düsseldorf returned to the locker room. While Cologne had more possession in the first half, they were sorely lacking in accuracy and realism. Cordoba’s lack of support made the Effzeh’s attacks completely sterile.
Düsseldorf takes advantage of Cologne’s clumsiness
While there were no changes at the break, it was not the same Cologne team that came back from the locker room. Much more enterprising, the locals managed to avoid the pressing that bothered them so much in the first half.
Following a tense cross from Florian Kainz, Mark Uth managed to get the ball back, but his attempt crashed over the post (0–1; 57'). However, the action was not over, and wishing to get the ball back, the former Germany international was hooked by Erik Thommy. The referee did not hesitate and whistled the penalty. Already a penalty scorer last week against Mainz and author of five goals in nine games since arriving in Cologne this winter, the 28-year-old striker decided to take responsibility, but failed against Florian Kastenmeier, causing the explosion of joy from the entire bench of Fortuna Dusseldorf (0–1; 58').
The consequences were all the more terrible for Cologne, who, less than two minutes later, let Steven Skrzybski shift Erik Thommy, who managed to deceive Timo Horn following a fine counter-attack (0–2; 60'). Author of two assists despite his surprise tenure, Steven Skrzybski gave up his place for Jean Zimmer, a player with a much more defensive vocation.
At the same time, Markus Gisdol, feeling that his team had to govern quickly and brought in Anthony Modeste and Dominick Drexler respectively in place of Noah Katterbach and Ismail Jakobs. With more support in attack, Jhon Cordoba became more active on the ground and local attacks became increasingly dangerous.
Winning coaching
After a new centre in Kainz, Anthony Modeste missed his bicycle, which landed in Cordoba’s feet. The latter, however, did not have time to react before Kastenmeier intervened (0–2: 68'). The pressure was increasing on Florian Kastenmeier’s goals. Dominick Drexler’s low corner set up a fine recovery, countered by a Fortuna defender (0–2; 71').
Unable to find solutions on land, it was in the air that Cologne played it all for the whole. The Effzeh is indeed the team that has scored the most goals of the lead this season in the Bundesliga, with twelve goals scored in this way out of forty-one goals scored this season in total before the game.
Thus, following an umpteenth centre by Dominick Drexler, Anthony Modeste managed to cross his head perfectly to reduce the score and give hope to Cologne (1–2; 87'). Markus Gisdol’s coaching paid off, as two minutes later, on a new centre from Dominick Drexler, Jhon Cordoba jumped higher than everyone else to deceive Florian Kastenmeier (2–2; 90'). The honour is except for the locals in a tense derby but without real flavors, being behind closed doors.
A result that doesn’t help anyone
Unlike Markus Gisdol’ coaching, the coaching of Uwe Rasler, forcing the game to change the system according to the changes from a 3–4–3 to a 4–4–2, proved fatal. With 27 goals conceded in the final half hour of the match this season, Fortuna Dusseldorf shows its inability to manage the end of the match and its lack of concentration.
Matthias Zimmermman’s teammates lost two points which could be very costly at the end of the season. Fortuna are only three lengths ahead of the first-time relegable Werder Bremen, who have one game less.
For its part, Cologne remain six points behind Wolfsburg and can still afford to dream of Europe. “There are mixed feelings today,” said Markus Gisdol after the match, “We met an opponent who read us well and caused us difficulties. We were too frivolous,” he continued, before concluding with a tribute to Frenchman Anthony Modeste: “[Anthony] Modeste really wanted to make a difference. I’m very happy that he scored.”
On Wednesday, Cologne will try to find their way back to winning ways on the Cologne turf, while Düsseldorf will host Schalke for the 28th round of the Bundesliga.
Starting Lineups
Koln (4–2–3–1) : Horn ; Katterbach (Modeste, 59'), Leistner (Terodde, 90'), Bornauw, Ehizibue (Mere, 59') ; Hector, Shkiri ; Jakobs (Drexler 59'), Uth, Kainz (Rexhbecaj, 79') ; Cordoba
Fortuna Düsseldorf (3–4–3) : Kastenmeier ; Jorgensen, Hoffmann, Giesselmann ; Zimmermann, Bodzek (Sobottka, 73'), Morales, Thommy (Fink, 80'), Skrzybski (Zimmer, 62'), Stoger (Kasim, 80'), Karaman (Hennings, 73')
