The big party was already set, but despite youngster Max Finkgräfe taking the lead, 1. FC Köln only managed a draw at TSG Hoffenheim.
Despite the setback in stoppage time, the dressed-up Cologne fans celebrated their team and sang their hearts out for Shrove Monday. For the players, however, disappointment prevailed.
The relegation-threatened 1. FC Köln would have loved to have given their supporters a carefree carnival highlight with their second victory in a row.
At the end of the 21st matchday of the Bundesliga, the Rhinelanders drew 1:1 (0:0) with struggling TSG Hoffenheim after a strong performance. Max Finkgräfe kept the Cologne fans celebrating with his free-kick goal in the 79th minute deep into stoppage time, but then Hoffenheim’s top scorer Andrej Kramaric struck (90.+4).
“When you get a goal like that in the 94th minute, it’s incredibly bitter,” said Benno Schmitz on DAZN: “We were very close again today. It goes on. We have to find our feet at the back.” Finkgräfe was delighted with his goal, but “it feels more like a defeat,” said the youngster.
The FC, who will be taking part in the parade on Monday with their own float, are four points ahead of the direct relegation places thanks to the draw. However, the cushion does not appear to be thick enough to be allowed to toast on Rose Monday. “Some will be on the float. The others are recovering at home, that’s all we can do at the moment,” said Finkgräfe.
Hoffenheim are also not in the mood to celebrate at the moment. TSG have now gone seven games without a win. Despite the negative streak, coach Pellegrino Matarazzo left the Croatian Kramaric on the bench for the time being. “The line-up took me half the night,” said the coach: “I wanted to get the best mix on the pitch. It wasn’t an easy decision.”
The 23,020 spectators in the Sinsheim Arena, almost a third of whom were FC supporters, saw a fiercely contested opening phase. Cologne impressed with great determination against the better-playing hosts. However, TSG winger Ihlas Bebou created danger in front of the Cologne goal for the first time in the 14th minute.
Not much happened after that. The visitors, who had to make do without Timo Hübers, Davie Selke, Mark Uth and Luca Waldschmidt, were largely stable in defense. Only Hoffenheim attacker Wout Weghorst tested Cologne goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe (26′). Shortly before the break, the Dutchman had the best chance of the first half (43′).
Nothing changed at the start of the second half. Hoffenheim, who were missing the suspended John Anthony Brooks as well as Mergim Berisha and Marco John, had more of the play – Cologne defended skillfully.
In the 68th minute, Matarazzo brought on three new players, including Kramaric. FC continued to defend with great commitment. The pinpricks in attack also ensured that Hoffenheim had to remain vigilant in defense. Finkgräfe’s free-kick failed to do that. However, Kramaric secured a point for Hoffenheim deep into stoppage time
