Germany: Bundesliga
FT
4 - 1
(0 - 0)
FC Köln
Gladbach
D. Ljubicic (55), M. Uth (77), O. Duda (78), S. Andersson (90)
J. Hofmann (74)
By Peter Weis@PeterVicey

Uth on Köln's undefeated home record: "With the fans, we're a joint force"

A year ago when playing for Schalke, Mark Uth told a reporter he just wanted to go into the dressing room and cry. 

Things could not be more different one year for the Köln native after scoring what proved to be the game-winning goal in Saturday's derby.

Reflecting on his 180-degree turn of emotions, the 30-year-old striker credited the ultras for an undefeated record at the RheinEnergieStafion. 
Mark Uth.
Mark Uth.Photo: Sandro Halank, Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA 4.0
On November 21st, 2020 Mark Uth gave what was among the most memorable post-match interviews of all-time after Schalke lost 0-2 to VfL Wolfsburg in an empty Veltins Arena. One year and one week to the date later, things couldn't be more different after the Köln native converted the game-winning goal in Saturday's electrifying home win over arch-rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach.

"I'm just happy," Uth said afterwards, "This is the first derby that I've won."

Nearly ten years after leaving the club's youth academy, the 30-year-old is finally back at home. Uth did spend the second-half of the 2019/20 in the cathedral city on loan from Schalke.

Despite his desire to stay, Uth found himself back in a situation where virtually none of a group of returning loanees wanted to be.

After spending some time with the supporters in the south tribune, Uth credited the fans for Köln's undefeated record at home.

"When the south stand dances, laughs, sings, and drinks there is no better feeling for us players," he noted, "It's always a pleasure to play at home. We're undefeated at home because we're a joint force together with the fans."

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