1. FC Köln top the Bundesliga table for the first time for 20 years. Peter Stöger’s men inflicted a 3-0 defeat on promoted side SC Freiburg on Friday night to head into first place for the first time since August 1996.
Goals from Anthony Modeste (29’ & 43’) and Leonardo Bittencourt (31’) split the sides, although it was an even game for the majority of the 90 minutes. Former DFB-Team U21 star Bittencourt had to be withdrawn early in the second half with an injury.
Horn back between the sticks
The Billy Goats made one change to the side that drew 0-0 in Wolfsburg last weekend, with goalkeeper Timo Horn returning to the XI. The Rio 2016 Silver medallist recovered from an adductor problem to replace Sven Müller.
Freiburg boss Christian Streich sent out the same side that beat Champions League contenders Mönchengladbach 3-1 last weekend and they had the first chance of the game, but Florian Niederlechner’s fifth-minute effort was kept out by Horn with ease.
Köln grab a quickfire double
The Breisgau side started strongly and put up fight throughout the match. However, the hosts created the better chances, with Modeste and Marcel Risse missing presentable opportunities in the opening exchanges.
The Billy Goats were clinical in front of goal and hit the front shortly before the 30-minute mark when Modeste headed Risse’s corner firmly into the back of the net. They doubled their advantage moments later when Yuya Osako picked up on a Caglar Söyüncü error before teeing up Bittencourt, who fired home from inside the box. The scoring was wrapped up shortly before the break when Modeste headed home his second of the day.
created by mmc/mb
1. FC Köln top the Bundesliga table for the first time for 20 years. Peter Stöger’s men inflicted a 3-0 defeat on promoted side SC Freiburg on Friday night to head into first place for the first time since August 1996.
Goals from Anthony Modeste (29’ & 43’) and Leonardo Bittencourt (31’) split the sides, although it was an even game for the majority of the 90 minutes. Former DFB-Team U21 star Bittencourt had to be withdrawn early in the second half with an injury.
Horn back between the sticks
The Billy Goats made one change to the side that drew 0-0 in Wolfsburg last weekend, with goalkeeper Timo Horn returning to the XI. The Rio 2016 Silver medallist recovered from an adductor problem to replace Sven Müller.
Freiburg boss Christian Streich sent out the same side that beat Champions League contenders Mönchengladbach 3-1 last weekend and they had the first chance of the game, but Florian Niederlechner’s fifth-minute effort was kept out by Horn with ease.
Köln grab a quickfire double
The Breisgau side started strongly and put up fight throughout the match. However, the hosts created the better chances, with Modeste and Marcel Risse missing presentable opportunities in the opening exchanges.
The Billy Goats were clinical in front of goal and hit the front shortly before the 30-minute mark when Modeste headed Risse’s corner firmly into the back of the net. They doubled their advantage moments later when Yuya Osako picked up on a Caglar Söyüncü error before teeing up Bittencourt, who fired home from inside the box. The scoring was wrapped up shortly before the break when Modeste headed home his second of the day.
