1. FC Köln and FC Augsburg played out a 1:1 draw at the WWK Arena on Sunday afternoon. Arne Maier’s opener was cancelled out by Davie Selke, with a big defensive shift in the second-half helping to secure a share of the spoils.
Team news
Jess Thorup opted for just one alteration from the side that won 3:1 in Wolfsburg last time out. Elvis Rexhbecaj started in place of the suspended Ermedin Demirovic and also captained the side.
Timo Schultz made four changes to the side that started the game against Leipzig before the international break. Jan Thielmann, Timo Hübers, Davie Selke and Dejan Ljubicic replaced Rasmus Carstensen, Luca Kilian, Max Finkgräfe and Eric Martel.
Level at the break
The opening stages of the match were fairly evenly matched. Neither side were able to make the most of any promising openings that came their way, with Faride Alidou’s effort blocked and Elvis Rexhbecaj firing wide from 25 yards.
That changed in the 18th minute when a throw-in was touched down to Arne Maier, and he made no mistake in finding the bottom corner from 10 yards to give the home side the lead.
FC battled for an equaliser and had a promising chance when Timo Hübers failed to turn home Sargis Adamyan’s cross. However, the Armenian’s persistence would be rewarded as he set-up the equaliser. A fine first-time volleyed pass from Florian Kainz set Adamyan through on goal and he was unselfish to tee up Davie Selke’s tap-in from five yards and his sixth goal of the season after 33 minutes.
The game ebbed and flowed up to the half-time break. Marvin Schwäbe was required to make important saves from Phillip Tietz’s header and Maier’s low drive. FC were threatening on the break, with Alidou continuing to cause the Augsburg defence problems. However, despite the best effort of both sides, the game remained level heading into the break.
Brave defending secures a point
The second-half began with changes on either side. Max Finkgräfe replaced Leart Pacarada, while Augsburg opted for Mads Pedersen in place of Iago. The hosts were much the better side following the restart, only for some resolute defending from Jeff Chabot and Timo Hübers to keep Augsburg at bay.
FC had chances through Sargis Adamyan, Linton Maina, Damion Downs and Luca Waldschmidt on the counter to really hurt Augsburg. However, the final pass or shot was sadly lacking off.
In the latter stages, the hosts turned up the pressure once more. Jan Thielmann had to clear off the line from Dion Beljo’s clever flicked finish, while the defence batted away all that which Augsburg had to throw at FC.
FC’s next game sees them take on VfL Bochum at the RheinEnergieSTADION. Kick-off on Saturday is at 15:30 CEST.
Line-ups
1. FC Köln (4-2-3-1): Schwäbe – Thielmann, Hübers, Chabot, Pacarada (Finkgräfe 46‘) – Huseinbasic, Ljubicic – Alidou (Maina 66‘), Adamyan (Downs 72‘), Kainz (Martel 66‘) – Selke (Waldschmidt 82‘).
FC Augsburg (4-1-2-1-2): Dahmen – Mbabu, Gouweleeuw, Uduokahi, Iago (Pedersen 46‘) – Jakic – Rexhbecaj (Beljo 57‘), Jensen (Engels 79‘) – Maier – Vargas (Pep Biel 87‘), Tietz (Michel 87‘).
Goals: 1:0, Maier 18’. 1:1, Selke 33’.
Referee: Sören Storks (Ramsdorf).
Booked: Alidou (61’), Ljubicic (89’), Maina (89’).
Attendance: 30,660 (sold-out).