Following their dramatic win over Darmstadt during the week, Jeff Saibene opted for three changes to his Arminia side. Jonathan Clauss, Max Christiansen and Prince-Osei Owusu dropped to the bench in place of Nils Seufert, Andreas Voglsammer and Fabian Klos. As for Köln and Markus Anfang, he also made three alterations after a 2:1 win. That victory over Ingolstadt maintained the Billy Goats’ place at the top coming into the game. Marcel Risse, Jannes Horn and Christian Clemens were benched for Matthias Bader, Vincent Koziello and Sehrou Guirassy.
Köln were quickly on the front foot and almost opened the scoring inside the first five minutes, but for Stefan Ortega to deny Dominick Drexler. Arminia slowly grew into things and gradually got back into the game, as Joan Simun Edmundsson’s header was gathered by Timo Horn. While FC looked a little sloppy at the back, as Jonas Hector and Horn almost got muddled up, they were causing the hosts problems at the other end. Sehrou Guirassy was the beneficiary of a help bounce but couldn’t find a way past the excellent Ortega.
Terodde scores his 100th 2. Liga goal
Simon Terodde’s celebrations were rightly cut short when his tap-in from Guirassy’s cut-back was blown up for offside. Arminia had their own problems with Daniel Siebert, and they were incensed when Andreas Voglsammer’s header struck Guirassy’s hand in the area. Siebert awarded a free-kick to Cologne.
However, right on the strike of half-time, Anfang’s men found the breakthrough. Dominick Drexler managed to find some space on the right and crossed for Terodde to nod past Ortega. The visiting end went wild, as the 30-year-old notched up his 100th 2. Bundesliga goal.
FC clinch it at the death
The second half was somewhat slower than the first and took a while to get going. FC fans could hardly believe their eyes when Drexler’s attempted pass across to Guirassy was cut out by a charging Edmundsson and deflected goalwards by Stephan Salger, only to zip just past the post.
Arminia and Köln traded blows and went from end to end, yet it was the FC who would find the all-important second goal. It was the same combination from the first that worked so well once again, as Drexler escaped the attentions of the Bielefeld defence to tee up Terodde and he duly swept home. His 12th goal in seven games was marked by his substitution for Jhon Cordoba.
Keanu Staude was introduced on the hour mark and after going close after his arrival, soon found a route back into the game for Arminia. A dropping ball was too much to resist and Staude cleanly cut across a half-volley that rifled past Horn and into the bottom corner.
Cordoba secures the victory
The hosts had further late frustrations with Daniel Siebert over several decisions, so much so that Ortega tore his shirt open in pure frustration. FC would have the last laugh, though, as Jhon Cordoba ran onto Drexler’s thump over the top and calmly slotted home to seal all three points.
Regardless of what happens for the remainder of the weekend, the Billy Goats will sit top of the table. The only question is how big the lead will be over the chasing pack by the time they take to the field against MSV Duisburg on Monday evening. As for Arminia, who have their right to feel aggrieved, it’s a tough trip down the A2 to face Bochum on Friday.
DSC (4-4-2): Ortega; Brunner, Börner, Salger, Hartherz; Edmundsson, Seufert, Prietl (Owusu 75’), Lucoqui (Staude 60’); Voglsammer, Klos.
KOE (4-1-4-1): T. Horn; Bader, Sobiech, Czichos, Hector; Höger; Schaub (Risse 69’), Koziello, Drexler, Guirassy (J. Horn 88’); Terodde (Cordoba 73’).
Goals: 0:1, Terodde 45+1’. 0:2, Terodde 70’. 1:2, Staude 85’. 1:3, Cordoba 90+5’.
Referee: Daniel Siebert (Berlin).
Booked: Hartherz (38’), Bader (40’), Drexler (83’), Salger (90+1’).
