JNobody wanted to feel bad after the high-intensity game between 1. FC Köln and Borussia Dortmund, at the end of which both teams had to settle for one point. But none of those involved was really unhappy about the 1-1 draw, which was somehow exemplary for Bundesliga football in spring 2022. They defended and worked, the energy regulator was at the limit. But playful elements remained rare. “We worked very hard defensively against the ball,” said Cologne’s Mark Uth, and Dortmund’s Manuel Akanji explained: “It went back and forth, unfortunately we couldn’t take the three points with us in the end.”
With their identical hairstyles and similar physique, there is currently a risk of confusing Marius Wolf and Erling Haaland, but it was actually Wolf who scored Dortmund’s lead in the 8th minute. With a movement that would actually have been more suitable for Haaland: Wolf took a long pass from Jude Bellingham perfectly with his right foot and then casually put the ball past Cologne goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe to make it 0: 1.
“Made a significant step forward”
It took Cologne some time to get together in the somewhat unfamiliar formation after the failures of Hector, Kainz, Ljubicic and Schindler. But at some point FC played with more pressure, “the half hour before half-time was only Cologne,” said Marco Rose, the coach of BVB. The Dortmunders were now only dominant in the ranks, which were full with 50,000 people, where the team was supported by the Ultras in a Bundesliga game for the first time since the pandemic began. The Cologne groups, on the other hand, still refuse to support them, they want to wait until the 3G regulation, which is still in force, is no longer valid before returning.
But even without the Ultra chants, FC were better and equalized in the 36th minute after a cross from the left and a header from Anthony Modeste. Sebastian Andersson pushed the ball over the line from three meters (36′). Dortmund thought they had stabilized recently after two narrow 1-0 victories in Mainz and against Bielefeld. The team had “taken a clear step forward” and had “improved in many areas” said license player boss Sebastian Kehl before the game, but there wasn’t that much to see anymore. BVB had a lot of trouble building up the game and didn’t always look confident on the defensive.
Many Bundesliga fans are still hoping that second-placed Bayern could still deliver an exciting championship fight, but after the stabilization process of the past few weeks, a footballing development is also necessary. And it’s still faltering. Especially since miracle striker Erling Haaland is still looking for his form after his injury. The Norwegian had two good chances, both of which he missed. First, Haaland’s shot just missed the post of the Cologne goal (25th), before the Dortmund player appeared free in front of Schwäbe after almost an hour, but failed with his weaker right.
It was now a tough and difficult game because both teams defended well in most situations but rarely managed really constructive ball actions. Also because Cologne had problems with BVB’s switch to a three-man chain in the second half. There was always some player lying on the pitch after a foul, but it was exciting and very intense. In the closing stages, Dortmund did everything they could to try and win. But without a strong Haaland, without Marco Reus and without the self-confidence of a top club, BVB is not a competitor that FC Bayern has to fear.
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