1. FC Köln have landed a crucial 3-2 victory against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, distancing themselves further from the relegation zone. The Billy Goats now have 33 points to their name and a six-point cushion ahead of SC Paderborn in 16th place, while Hoffenheim (37 points) failed to improve their position in the race for European competition next season.
Köln skipper Matthias Lehmann (20') opened the scoring with a penalty in an entertaining Bundesliga match. Anthony Ujah (54') bagged his tenth goal of the season and Germany international Jonas Hector (78') was also on target for Köln. Eugen Polanski (70' pen) and Anthony Modeste (88') scored for Hoffenheim, with Köln's Pawel Olkowski also receiving a straight red card prior to Polanski's penalty for a professional foul.
Firmino hits the woodwork 43 seconds after kick-off
This was the first of three games for Köln in which they were not allowed to sell the full allocation of tickets following violent behaviour from their fans during February’s derby with Borussia Mönchengladbach. 2,800 seats in the south stands were left empty, as 45,000 onlookers witnessed Hoffenheim get off to busy start.
Hoffenheim were not showing any signs of being tired after their dramatic 3-2 quarterfinal cup defeat against Borussia Dortmund during the week and had their first chances just 43 seconds after kick-off, as Brazilian international Roberto Firmino hit the post. Timo Horn then made a good save from Kevin Volland after 11 minutes.
The home side also looked to play attacking football as Yuya Osako was brought down on the edge of the penalty area after three minutes. The referee opted to play on but a similar scene occurred not long after and this time he pointed to the spot. Lehmann converted a from the penalty spot to put Köln 1-0 in the lead.
From then on both defences began to struggle and this produced a highly entertaining game. Horn kept Köln in the lead against chances from Firmino (22'), Sven Schipplock (26') and Ermin Bicakcic (30'), while Ujah (39') hit the post from close range at the other end.
Ten-man Köln secure victory
The game continued, on the one hand, to produce entertaining attacking football, and shaky defending on the other. Poor organisation in Hoffenheim's defence allowed the impressive Kazuki Nagasawa and Osako to get the ball to Ujah, who kept his cool in front of TSG keeper Oliver Baumann to give Köln a 2-0 lead.
Hoffenheim appeared beaten but were given a lifeline when Olkowski was sent off and Polanski converted the resulting penalty. Just moments later, Modeste (73') attempted an overhead kick that only just missed the target. Just as Hoffenheim's pressure looked like it might produce an equaliser, Hector finished off a fantastic solo-run to make it 3-1 for the hosts and again punish Hoffenheim's sloppy defence. Köln were then forced to endure several nerve wracking final minutes after Modeste scored late on, but in the end they managed to secure all three points.