Playoff for the Conference League: 1. FC Köln threatens to end after a Dardái goal – Bietigheim-Bissingen
Before the first European Cup game in 1715 days, the FC fans, dressed all in red, had choreographed their team to “eat up Europe”. And the FC professionals seem determined and highly motivated from the first second. However, the Hungarians, lined up by Boris with a defensive five-man line, prove to be tough and passionate defending opponents.
After ten minutes, the strong Dejan Ljubicic had the lead upside down, caught the ball after a cross from Jan Thielmann, but not properly. Two minutes later, after a nice pass from Ljubicic, Dietz shook off two opponents and pushed the ball in ice-cold.
But six minutes later, Cologne were decimated when Chabot Dardái fouled 20 meters from goal as the last man. Although referee Tiago Lopes was justified in sending him off, Chabot seemed surprised. The defender didn’t even look at first and then looked completely shocked when he saw the red card.
Baumgart, who did not wear a suit in the European Cup, but stood on the sidelines first in a red shirt and then in a white shirt, did not change. After being sent off, he pulled Hector back from central midfield to his usual left-back position and played in a 4-2-2-1 – but Zivzivadze headed in the equalizer after a wonderful cross from Loic Nego. And Dardái leaned under the bar with a spectacular diagonal shot before the break.
It was only after about an hour that the Cologne team got back on their feet and put more pressure on, substitute Linton Maina hit the post (70th).