Cologne’s chance-squandering: 1:2 against Magdeburg

1. FC Cologne missed the chance to move up to second place in the 2nd Bundesliga. Despite overwhelming superiority, Cologne lost 1:2 (0:0) to the still unbeaten 1. FC Magdeburg in front of 50,000 spectators. Damion Downs (49th) had put Cologne in the lead, Falko Michel (66th) and Jean Hugonet (83rd) turned the party in the guests’ favor.

In a match between two strong attacking teams, the hosts immediately took control after the applause for the deceased Christoph Daum. Cologne pressed and had the best chances, but initially failed to score. Magdeburg’s best chance (19th minute) was cleared by Mohammed El Hankouri in front of Tim Lemperle and hit the post. At the end of a one-sided first half, the hosts were lucky when Martijn Kaars did not finish off a counterattack from the visitors quickly enough.

After the restart, Cologne was more efficient and took a well-deserved lead through Downs after a bad pass from Daniel Heber. Cologne had several good chances after that and looked clearer. But after a free kick from the visitors, substitute Michael equalized. It was Magdeburg’s fourth goal from the substitutes this season. The hosts then continued their attack – but Hugonet (83′) scored with a deflected ball to give the visitors the lead.