With a passionate performance 1. FC Köln drew in their home game on matchday 14 against BV Borussia Dortmund 09 with a score of 1-1 (1-0). Artjoms Rudnevs scored in the first half (28') before Marco Reus equalized in the final minute (90'). Salih Özcan was sent off at added time with a second yellow.

Due to Marcel Risse's injury FC Head coach Peter Stöger had to make another change to his first eleven and opted for Pawel Olkowski on the right flank. Fortunately, Marco Höger was back in central midfield. Moreover, Artjoms Rudnevs played instead of Simon Zoller.

Strong start for the visitors

Both sides started offensively. Dortmund's Reus had his initial shot blocked by the concentrated FC defense (2'). On the other side, youngster Salih Özcan could not hit the target after a fine delivery from Rudnevs (3'). BVB then began taking control of the match with quick passing. However, they did not manage to create threatening chances against a well-organised FC team. Thus, the only remarkable sequence was a free kick by Marco Reus, which the winger bent wide (25').

Rudnevs strikes

28 minutes into the match, Özcan won a free kick in midfield. Hector knocked a long ball into the penalty area, in which Rudnevs headed it into the back of the net (29'). It was not only the important lead for the hosts, but also the Latvians first Bundesliga goal for Cologne (28'). In the following, 1. FC Köln defended this narrow lead with a passionate fighting spirit until referee Zwayer's half-time whistle.

Better chances for FC

In the second half the 50,000 fans at the sold-out arena saw an exciting clash. Dortmund pushed forward with determination but could not get past a stubborn FC defense. FC, on the other hand, were dangerous on counters. In one sequence, Osako played a perfect through pass into the feet of Modeste, who outpaced his opponent but only hit the side-netting after going past Roman Weidenfeller (52'). 4 minutes later, Rudnevs was blocked in the nick of time (56'). On the other side, Schmelzer placed a coincidental header just wide of the left post (59').

Reus levels things up

74 minutes into the match, Dortmund had their first dangerous shot on goal, but Reus was denied by Kessler. Stöger decided to strengthen his defense and substituted Kocka Rausch in for attacker Rudnevs. The substitute came close to scoring instantly, but his set piece only hit the side-netting (81'). Just before the end of the 90 minutes, Marco Reus levelled things up by converting an accurate Ramos delivery from the right wing (90'). At added time Salih Özcan was sent off with his second yellow card as he came too late with a sliding tackle against Dembelé.

Next: Werder Bremen

After remaining unbeaten in their 9th consecutive Bundesliga home match, 1. FC Köln will travel to Bremen next week to play SV Werder on Saturday, December 17th, 2016 (15:30).

1. FC Köln: Kessler – Olkowski, Sorensen, Mavraj, Heintz, J. Hector – Özcan, Höger – Osako – Rudnevs (75' Rausch), Modeste (87' Guirassy)

BV Borussia Dortmund 09: Weidenfeller – Piszczek (27' M. Bartra), Sokratis (75' Ramos), Ginter, Schmelzer – Weigl, Castro (53' Rode) – Durm, Dembelé, Reus – Aubameyang

Goals: 1-0 Rudnevs (28', J. Hector), 1-1 Reus (90', Ramos)

Yellow cards: Heintz (53'), Özcan (65'), Höger (72') | Schmelzer (28'), Dembelé (45'), Sokratis (60')

Second yellow: Özcan (90')

Referee: Felix Zwayer

Attendance: 50,000 (sold out)