Darmstadt is already gone, 1. FC Köln is facing relegation to the 2nd Bundesliga. Mainz missed a great opportunity, which pleases VfL Bochum.

The two relegation places in the Bundesliga are probably taken. Darmstadt 98 were officially relegated after Sunday evening’s match against 1. FC Heidenheim (0:1).

Unless a soccer miracle happens, 1. FC Köln will go down to the 2nd Bundesliga. After the 1:1 (0:1) at FSV Mainz 05, Cologne are five points off the relegation places – and have the worse goal difference. Cologne must make up six points on Mainz in three matches.

The 1-1 draw, which FSV conceded with their second penalty in stoppage time, also meant that they missed out on relegating VfL Bochum.

A four-way battle for the spot seems to be brewing, which means two extra post-season games against the third-placed team in Bundesliga 2. Mainz, Bochum, Union Berlin and Gladbach still have to reckon with finishing in 16th place.

Mainz started the game better in the basement duel and also scored the 1:0. After a weakly taken own standard, Cologne ran into a counterattack, at the end of which FC goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe did not look good either. Leandro Barreiro said thank you. It seemed to be the goal of the day

Cologne only got into the game after it was almost all too late. And that’s when it became clear why the team only scored 23 goals. Cologne pressed in the final offensive, but scored one goal after the other.

The highlight came shortly after the break when Luca Waldschmidt put a penalty next to the goal. Anthony Caci had fouled Faride Alidou.

Caci had already been shown a yellow card at the time and was allowed to continue playing. This was also the case after his next foul, much to the annoyance of Cologne, who started to attack furiously but were repeatedly thwarted by their own lack of offense. Even Mark Uth missed a great opportunity to make it 1:1 shortly before the end.

But there was still a chance, as Cologne were awarded their second penalty in stoppage time. Mainz keeper Robin Zentner fouled Sargis Adamyan, Florian Kainz did better than Waldschmidt – 1:1.

Shortly afterwards, Mainz’s Phillipp Mwene was sent off after a rough foul on Uth. Cologne wanted it all, but couldn’t make it 2:1, so all you could see after the final whistle was hanging heads. On Cologne’s side, because the 1:1 didn’t help, despite the threat of the 2nd division. Mainz because they had squandered a great chance late on in the relegation battle.

Cologne now have a home game against SC Freiburg (Saturday, May 4, 6:30 p.m.). Mainz must travel to 1. FC Heidenheim on Sunday (May 5, 7:30 p.m.)