Köln and Gladbach inseparable in Rhine derby duel
There was an electric atmosphere in the RhineEnergie Stadion to welcome the Rhine derby duel of Köln and visitors Borussia Monchengladbach. Köln’s form has been shaky of late as they slip closer towards a relegation battle. Meanwhile, Daniel Farke’s Gladbach have only managed one win in their past five. However, in a game of this magnitude for both clubs, form wouldn’t count for much.
Köln bossed the opening exchanges as Maina and Selke combined well for the first shot on target. Omlin was in a prime position to repel the striker’s effort. There was a brief VAR check for a Gladbach penalty but nothing doing. At the other end, Köln’s Kainz narrowly fizzed his freekick past the post as Omlin looked relieved.
Just before the half hour mark, Schindler stung the palms of Omlin who did exceptionally well to tip the shot over his bar. Eric Martel was next to try his luck when Omlin diverted a Köln corner into his path. The midfielder controlled with his chest and fired goalwards, but once more the Swiss shot stopper was behind the effort.
After a quiet first-half Gladbach looked to Lars Stindl for an early lead. The Foals skipper marginally dragged his shot wide of the left upright. Aside from half chances for Neuhaus and Schindler at either end there was little to report in terms of chances. This was followed up by a Timo Hübers’ 70th minute header which sailed over the bar.
By this stage, both Farke and Baumgart looked to their benches for that match-winning goal. Plea replaced Stindl for the visitors, while Huseinbasić and Thielmann entered for ‘Die Gießböcke’. In the end it would remain how they started – both teams fought hard as you would expect in a Rhine Derby but lacked that clinical edge to reap all three points.