Kainz stars as Koln achieve derby delight against 10-man Gladbach
Sat rock bottom of the Bundesliga table, Koln welcomed neighbouring Monchengladbach to the RhineEnergie Stadion. An atmospheric derby clash would act as the perfect tonic for the hosts to get their season up and running. In the end, Stefen Baumgart’s troops would secure a 3-1 victory thanks to a Florian Kainz brace and Waldschmidt strike.
After the pyrotechnics smoke subsided, the action got underway. Koln made the brighter start and were awarded a penalty when Manu Kone’s hand met ball in the box. Kainz stepped up and fired home despite Gladbach’s Nicolas guessing correctly.
It would be a half that Koln dominated and twice came agonisingly close to doubling their lead before the break. Jeff Chabot’s header would rebound off the crossbar. Meanwhile Luca Waldschmidt would be denied by the upright. Gladbach’s shot stopper Nicolas making a fingertip save to divert the effort onto the aluminium.
However, the second half would be wrestled back in Gladbach’s control. Although they didn’t really threaten Schwabe’s goal, that would change after the hour mark when the scoreboard read 1-1. Nico Elvedi rose highest in the box to nod home Franck Honorat’s corner.
Gladbach would play the final 20 minutes a man down as Manu Kone received a red card. The Frenchman’s meaty challenge on Ljubicic deemed dangerous. Things went from bad to worse for the visitors as Nicolas coughed up another penalty. While he saved the initial spot kick, referee Aytekin spotted the keeper off his line. A retake was issued and Kainz made it 2-1. In injury time Luca Waldschmidt added a third with a neat strike from the box edge.