Vital home win over Werder

On the 30th match day of the season, 1. FC Köln notched up a vital 1-0 (0-0) win over Werder Bremen. In front of a crowd of 50,000 at the capacity filled 'RheinEnergieStadion', Milivoje Novakovic scored what was to prove the 'Golden Goal' for FC (61').

Three changes

Coach Christoph Daum made three changes to his starting eleven for the clash with Werder, compared to the side that began in last weekend's 1-2 against Hannover 96, with the suspended duo of Petit and Pedro Geromel being replaced by Nemanja Vucicevic and Marvin Matip, whilst Daniel Brosinski made way for Kevin McKenna.

FC started determinedly against a Bremen side missing such top players as Diego, Özil, Almeida and Frings, but without much joy early on. It was the visitors that had the better of the early openings though. Jurica Vranjes played a long ball from the midfield for Markus Rosenberg to latch on to but with only Faryd Mondragon to beat, the Swedish striker fired the ball wide of the left post. Vranjes himself tried his luck just four minutes later but with the same result as the ball went whistling outside the left post. The home fans thought they had something to celebrate in the 34th minute when Vucicevic and Milivoje Novakovic combined for FC to score, but unfortunately the cheers came too early as the off-side flag cancelled out the effort. The final chance of the first half fell to Köln through a Vucicevic free-kick but Tim Wiese in the Werder goal held on to the shot and the 0-0 score-line going into the break.

Nova does it again

The fans at the 'RheinEnergieStadion' were treated to some early action after the re-start. Firstly Peter Niemeyer tested Mondragon with a shot from 18 meters out (46'), then Novakovic attempted to play Vucicevic through but Wiese was quick off his line to clear the danger (50'). The best opportunity during this phase fell to Novakovic. Following a perfect pass from Sanou, the striker went through on his own, only then to slot his effort centimetres wide of the right post (51'). FC were looking ever more dangerous and soon the waiting would have an end. Vucicevic made a burst down the left wing before picking out 'Nova' at the back post and the Slovenian slid in to force the ball over the line and FC into a 1-0 lead (61'). Having gone in front, FC pushed in search of a second goal and created chances through Vucicevic (63', 76'), Sanou (67') and Novakovic (71' / 73'), but there were to be no further goals. FC had a slight shock when Boenisch forced a save from Mondragon late on but Daum's men held on to take all three vital points against Werder Bremen.


The team line-ups

1. FC Köln: Mondragon - Brecko, McKenna, Mohamad, Wome - Pezzoni, Matip - Sanou (85' Brosinski), Vucicevic (90' Boateng), Ehret (88' Yalcin) - Novakovic

Werder Bremen: Wiese - Prödl (46' Harnik), Naldo, Mertesacker, Boenisch - Baumann - Vranjes (22' Fritz), Niemeyer (72' Perthel) - Tziolis - Rosenberg, Pizarro

Goals: 1-0 Novakovic (61')

Attendance: 50,000 (sold-out)

Referee: Weiner

Yellow cards: -/Prödl, Fritz, Boenisch