After a great start to the third division season, Viktoria Köln are currently struggling. They suffered their third defeat in a row against 1. FC Saarbrücken.
Viktoria Köln are currently struggling in the 3rd division. The catch-up match against 1. FC Saarbrücken was also lost – after 90 minutes the score was 2:5 (0:1.).
It was Viktoria’s third defeat in a row, after coach Olaf Janßen’s team had already lost to MSV Duisburg and Borussia Dortmund’s U23s.
Things got off to a bad start against Saarbrücken. After just three minutes, Amine Naifi scored from close range to give the visitors the lead. While Cologne failed to score, Kasim Rabihic almost made it 2:0 after 14 minutes – but Viktoria keeper Ben Voll reacted strongly against the former Essen player. Cologne were only still in the game at the break because Kai Brünker also missed a great opportunity.
It was the same picture after the break. Saarbrücken scored early again and put Viktoria Köln 2-0 up. After a defensive error, Brünker ran alone towards the goal and tunneled Voll for the supposed preliminary decision.
Nobody thought that Viktoria could come back after the performance they had shown so far. However, hope was restored after 55 minutes when André Becker surprisingly scored to make it 1-2. 13 minutes later, the hope was gone again
While Voll saved a penalty from Rabihic, it was Naifi who followed up and scored his second goal of the evening. Viktoria now had no answer.
Nevertheless, the game went on. Luca Kerber scored shortly before the end to make it 4:1 for Saarbrücken. Luca de Meester reduced the deficit to 2:4 before Tim Civeja scored for Saarbrücken to make the final score 5:2.
As a result, Cologne have to look further and further down the table, with the gap to the first relegation place still eight points. The mood in Saarbrücken is different.
They were able to confirm their victory at Waldhof Mannheim. They are now in eleventh place with 38 points, although Saarbrücken still have a game in hand. If FCS win this one too, they would already be in seventh place.
Viktoria Köln continue their campaign on Saturday (February 24, 2 p.m.) against SV Sandhausen. Saarbrücken face Arminia Bielefeld on Sunday (4:30 p.m.)