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Defeat at Freiburg

1-4 loss at the Dreisam

1. FC Cologne lost their final away game of the season at SC Freiburg with 1-4 (0-1). In the first half the hosts were given the lead by right back Mensur Mujdza in spite of a solid performance of Frank Schaefer's team. Lukas Podolski gave hope to 1. FC Cologne with his equaliser two minutes after the break. Unfortunately, FC were not able to make use of the momentum and conceded three more goals by Karim Guédé, Daniel Caligiuri and Sebastian Freis. Eventually which eventually led to a clear and deserved victory for SC Freiburg.

No changes in the starting eleven

        Manager Frank Schaefer was satisfied with his team's performance versus Stuttgart. So he trusted in exactly the same players again as Lukas Podolski was fit to play after his infection of the middle ear and his paranasal sinuses during the week. The starting eleven was nearly the same - apart from left back Christian Eichner who defended instead of Henrique Sereno - that had achieved the best FC result of the season when 1.FC Cologne beat today's opponents with 4-0. Each, Lukas Podolski and Christian Clemens, scored twice in December.

Convincing opening stages

        FC intended to control the match right from the start. With quick passing they aimed at creating chances against coach Christian Steich's compact and hard running SC Freiburg. Especially over the flanks the guests tried to threaten their opponents and Slawomir Peszko won his dribbling against left back Oliver Sorg but did not really trouble Freiburg goalie Oliver Baumann (4'). An exact copy could be observed on the other side of the pitch when the hosts came to their first scene and left winger Daniel Caligiuri could not get past Rensing from very sharp angle (7'). But 1.FC Cologne showed the same attributes as in the match against VfB Stuttgart in which they demonstrated passion and fighting spirit. This effort produced a corner which was delivered by Podolski and reached by Martin Lanig in the six-yard box. Unfortunately, his dangerous header went just wide of the left post (16').

0-1 Mujdza

        Freiburg showed better possession now and passed well in midfield but they could not really get past Cologne's stable and concentrated defence. so they were awarded some corners without coming close to scoring. Their best chance resulted from a decent long-range effort by Karim Guédé but Michael Rensing the in-form Cologne keeper saved the ball (26'). The match was absolutely balanced now with equal passing and possession figures for either side. When Cologne lost the ball in attack on the right wing, Daniel Caligiuri marched forward, quickly played the ball into the path of Mensur Mujdza who entered the box reached the ball with his right foot and could get past keeper Rensing with this shot (36').

Good chance for Brecko

        1. FC Cologne tried to even the score before half-time. Podolski received the ball at the edge of Freiburg's penalty area. He turned several opponents and crossed the ball back to right back Miso Brecko. The Slovenian right back reached it but failed to head it on target from only 7 yards (43'). One minute later left winger Christian Clemens attempted to convert a corner kick, but in contrast to the match in December he failed to do so as Makiadi cleared the ball (44'). As a consequence, the sides went in with only one goal between them at half-time.

Podolski equalised

        Due to the deficit FC head coach Frank Schaefer reacted at half-time and went for a substitute. He brought on attacker Milivoje Novakovic who replaced holding midfielder Martin Lanig. So the Croat Mato Jajalo switched back to Lanig's defensive midfield position. Nova played as central forward and Poldi supported him as Cologne's central attacking midfielder. This plan appeared to work out perfectly. With his first touch in the second episode Podolski outpaced Guédé and Caligiuri and smacked the ball into the back of the net from 20 yards (47').

Guédé took the lead again

        Cologne were of course boosted by this important equaliser and Podolski attempted a long-range shot which went just wide (52'). But the hosts were not shocked at all by these events and showed a good reaction as well. Rosenthal shot on target from 20 yards and the ball went against the left upright (54'). Only some seconds later Freiburg took the lead again. A long ball reached Daniel Caligiuri on the left flank. He crossed the ball with a volley into the area where Guédé reacted quickly and volleyed it into the back of the net from the far post (54').

Debut for Buchtmann

        Freiburg came close to scoring again when Freiburg captain Cedric Makiadi entered the penalty area and could only be stopped by Kevin McKenna's tackling in the nick of time. While the hosts were still lamenting as they expected a penalty, Novakovic was suddenly free from his marker and one on one with Baumann but could not get past the keeper (57'). Freiburg were in full control of the game and Schaefer went for a fresh player. Christopher Buchtmann replaced Peszko on the right. So the youngster gained his first Bundesliga experience. The youngster showed a good performance and made a last gasp challenge against Makiadi who was close to scoring (74').

Freiburg extended the lead

        In the remainder Frank Schaefer strengthened his attack again as he brought on Mikael Ishak for left back Christian Eichner (83'). But the 19-year-old attacker had to witness the decider. Makiadi saw Caligiuri again who was free from his marker and slot it home into the far corner (84'). In the added time former FC attacker Sebastian Freis could also score to extend the hosts lead. First, he headed on goal from the edge of the six-yard box, Rensing reached the ball with a brilliant reaction but then the goalie was powerless against Freis's second try. This last goal led to referee Stark's full time whistle which ended this disappointing match for 1. FC Cologne.

Next week against FC Bayern Munich

        On the decisive last match day of this season 1. FC Cologne will play hosts to Champions League finalists FC Bayern Munich on Saturday, 5 May (15.30) to take the last step on their way to cement rank 16 which would qualify them for a last chance in two relegation matches.

SC Freiburg: Baumann – Mujdza (70' Putsila), Diagne (58' Höhn), Ginter, Sorg – Schmid, Makiadi, Guédé, D. Caligiuri – Rosenthal (77' Jendrisek) – Freis

1. FC Cologne: Rensing – Brecko, McKenna, Geromel, Eichner (83' Ishak) – Lanig, Riether – Peszko (68' Buchtmann), Jajalo (46' Novakovic), Clemens – Podolski

goals: 1-0 Mujdza (36', D.Caligiuri), 1-1 Podolski (47'), 2-1 Guédé (54', D.Caligiuri), 3-1 D.Caligiuri (84', Makiadi), 4-1 Freis (90', Schmid)

referee: Wolfgang Stark (Ergolding)

yellow cards: - / McKenna (76')

attendance: 24,000