The Cologne European Cup dream bursts dramatically: In the last preliminary round game of the Conference League, 1. FC is already 0: 2 behind against OGC Nice, then fights back and equalizes. But then coach Steffen Baumgart’s team ran out of steam.
Immediately after the final whistle, the stadium held its breath, then the pros of 1. FC Köln were greeted with great applause. Coach Steffen Baumgart was still standing petrified in his red T-shirt when the spectators began to applaud. Despite the emotional race to catch up, FC was eliminated from the Europa Conference League after beating OGC Nice 2-2 (0-2) on Thursday.
“Of course it’s a big disappointment so soon after the game. We made a lot of individual mistakes today,” said Florian Kainz. “In the end we tried everything again. But now you have to say that you are very disappointed so soon after the game.”
The Cologne goals from Denis Huseinbasic (48th minute) and Ondrej Duda (60th) in a furious second half were not enough. For the international winter, the Rhinelanders would have needed a win in front of 47,000 spectators. After dropping out of the European Cup and the DFB Cup, FC now has to concentrate on the Bundesliga. Gaëtan Laborde (40′) and Billal Brahimi (43′) scored the goals for Nice.
The first leg almost two months ago was overshadowed by riots and fights in the stands. This time the police prevented a dispute in front of the stadium, according to their own statements. Before the game, carnival hits and Rhenish folklore dominated the events in the arena. The Cologne fans received their team with a great choreography. And that showed its effect.
The Cologne found the game well and quickly. As usual, Baumgart’s team was very aggressive, very agile and strong in tackles. The technically experienced French should not even be allowed into the game. Cologne also had the first really good chance. Steffen Tigges (26th) failed with his header to goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. But the guests always remained dangerous.
Favre’s team had a clear plan: after winning the ball, it should go forward quickly. Twice it went too fast for Cologne. A failed clearance from Pedersen ended up with Laborde, who dribbled past Ellyes Skhiri and converted with his left. Three minutes later, Florian Kainz then lost the ball on the center line. The guests used this for a quick counterattack, which Brahimi successfully completed.
What a mood dampener just before the break – one might have thought. But instead of coming out of the dressing room completely frustrated, the Cologne team boldly stormed forward. Sargis Adamyan had a huge chance in the 47th minute, and Schmeichel parried his shot superbly. A minute later, the Dane looked less good. He couldn’t fend off a shot from Huseinbasic on the short corner – suddenly it was 1:2. And then the people of Cologne took the audience on a wild ride.
FC was now pushing, FC wanted it with all their might. After a low cross, Duda got the ball in the penalty area, turned around briefly and shot the goal to make it 2-2. Now the stadium was boiling. A few seconds later it got even louder: but the supposed 3:2 by Adamyan was disallowed for offside. There was no happy ending.
