In the 108th Rhine derby, 1. FC Köln were hosted by Borussia Mönchengladbach to close the first match day of the new Bundesliga season. Right-back Nico Elvedi scored the sole goal of the night (49’) as FC suffered a narrow defeat.

1. FC Köln head coach Peter Stöger opted for only one new arrival in his starting eleven: the Colombian striker Jhon Cordoba. Hence, there were no changes made from the team that lined up in the successful cup performance against Leher TS (5-0). It was winger Leonardo Bittencourt’s 50th official match in a Cologne shirt.

Borussia waste chances in opening stages

Both sides’ supporters were cheering wildly for their team in the sold-out Borussia-Park. Timo Horn was tested early from an acute angle by the offensive hosts’ attacking midfielder Thorgan Hazard (6’). 2 minutes later, Horn was lucky that Germany international Lars Stindl did not hit the ball well from an ideal position (8’). Borussia were well organized and the more dominant team in midfield at this stage. Thus, Horn had to save his side against Raffael (15’) and Stindl again (16’).

Cordoba’s counters – Rausch out of play

The visitors needed some time but 18 minutes into the match, Cordoba came close to scoring when his deflected shot was stopped by Yann Sommer. Cologne’s second opportunity resulted from another counter, which Cordoba finally bent wide (31’). Just before halftime, Horn had to make a fingertip save against Raffael, who struck the ball goalwards from the left (43’). In the closing minute of the goalless first period, Kocka Rausch unluckily picked up an injury and had to be replaced by youngster Jannes Horn, who made his debut for the club.

Flying restart for Gladbach

The second half began ideally for the hosts. Traoré pushed the ball forward on the left flank and crossed a great ball into the path of right-back Elvedi, who finished at the far post (49’). Seconds later, Cordoba’s reply was blocked by Elvedi in the nick of time (50’). Cologne were more active now, which offered more space to Gladbach in return. This led to another dangerous shot by the in-form Raffael, but his effort only made it to the side net (55’).

2 more strikers for FC

As a reaction to his team’s deficit, Stöger brought on Sehrou Guirassy for Marcel Risse. As a consequence, FC approached Sommer’s goal more often, but could not test the keeper with a decisive strike. Cordoba was unlucky that his teammate Guirassy blocked his volley just after the hour mark (62’). In the remainder, Simon Zoller was substituted in for Bittencourt to strengthen the FC offense. In minute 83, Lukas Klünter bent the ball over the bar from a promising position. The right-back also blocked a threatening finish by substitute Raul Bobadilla in added time.

Hamburg next opponent

Borussia managed to hold onto the lead until referee Aytekin’s final whistle, which meant a disappointing start for 1. FC Köln. Next week Stöger’s team aims to secure their first 3 points in their home opener against Hamburger SV on Friday, 25 August (20:30).

Match Details

Borussia Mönchengladbach: Sommer – Elvedi, Ginter, Vestergaard, Wendt – Kramer, Zakaria – Traoré (84’ J. Hoffmann), T. Hazard (81’ P. Herrmann) – Stindl, Raffael (88’ Bobadilla)

1. FC Köln: T. Horn – Klünter, Sorensen, Heintz, Rausch (45’ J. Horn)– Risse (59’ Guirassy), M. Lehmann, J. Hector, Bittencourt (75’ Zoller) – Jojic – Cordoba

Goal: 1-0 Elvedi (49’, Traoré)

Yellow cards: Zakaria (23’), Sommer (90’), Stindl (90’) | Heintz (55’), Sorensen (72’)

Referee: Deniz Aytekin

Attendance: 54,018 (sold out)