1. FC Köln achieved a crucial 1:0 victory over FC Schalke 04, benefiting from a defensive blunder by Schalke. Damion Downs scored the match’s sole goal just before halftime, marking Köln’s third consecutive win and their seventh 1:0 triumph this season. In contrast, Schalke’s struggles continue as they focus on avoiding relegation. Despite some late attempts, they couldn’t equalize, leaving them in a challenging position. Köln’s next match is against Magdeburg, while Schalke faces KSC.
1. FC Köln Secures Vital Win Against Schalke
In a pivotal clash, 1. FC Köln capitalized on a significant defensive error by FC Schalke 04, clinching a vital 1:0 victory. This remarkable win not only solidifies Köln’s position at the top of the table but also highlights their reputation for grinding out results in the 2. Bundesliga, marking their seventh 1:0 triumph since November.
The match, held in Müngersdorf, saw Köln’s consistent scorer, Damion Downs, take advantage of a slip from Schalke defender Mehmet Aydin just before halftime, netting the only goal of the match in the 43rd minute. This victory also marks Köln’s third consecutive win, keeping their hopes of promotion to the Bundesliga alive.
Schalke’s Struggles Continue
In stark contrast, Schalke finds themselves in a precarious situation, now focused on avoiding relegation after a streak of five away games without a loss. Following the match, Köln’s coach, Gerhard Struber, expressed his satisfaction, stating, “After a tough week with the cup match in Leverkusen, the boys gave everything they had.” He emphasized that the team is in control of their destiny moving forward.
On the other hand, Schalke’s coach, Kees van Wonderen, acknowledged the team’s struggles, saying, “Losing two games in a row is frustrating. We have young players making mistakes, but I want them to play with courage. I was pleased with our performance in the second half.” The encounter, which marked the first competitive second division match between these historic clubs in Köln, lacked excitement for large portions of the game, with neither team creating significant goal-scoring opportunities early on.
The first real moment of excitement occurred when Schalke goalkeeper Justin Heekeren took down Linton Maina at the halfway line, but the referee deemed it inconsequential as Heekeren managed to touch the ball. With no shots on goal from Köln in the first half, a costly error from Aydin gifted the lead to the home side. Downs capitalized on the mistake, scoring his ninth goal of the season, while Maina notched his league-leading ninth assist.
The second half saw a substitution for Köln, as Eric Martel, filling in for the suspended Timo Hüber, was replaced due to injury, allowing homegrown talent Neo Telle to make his professional debut. The pace of the match picked up, largely thanks to Maina’s efforts, while Schalke struggled to create meaningful chances, with winter signing Pape Meissa Ba failing to make an impact.
In a bid to turn the tide, Schalke’s van Wonderen introduced three new players an hour into the match, but despite a slight increase in energy, they were unable to find the equalizer. The closest chance came in the dying minutes, where Kenan Karaman narrowly missed scoring with a header from a Tomas Kalas cross.
Looking ahead, 1. FC Köln will face Magdeburg on Friday, February 14, 2025, at 6:30 PM, while Schalke is set to take on KSC on Sunday at 1:30 PM.