1. FC Köln gave up an early goal to Mijat Gacinovic (5') of Eintracht Frankfurt at the Commerzbank-Arena. The lone goal turned out to be the decider as FC suffered their second loss in the Bundesliga this season.

Peter Stöger made two changes to his starting eleven following the success against Hamburger SV the previous week. Dominique Heintz replaced the injured Dominic Maroh (collarbone fracture) in defense and Kocka Rausch started on the left wing at the Commerzbank-Arena of Frankfurt.

Flying start for Frankfurt

It took just five minutes for the home side to capitalize on the FC goal. Chandler swung a ball in from the right side and Gacinovic came free from his marker to head the ball into the back of the net (5'). FC needed some time until Modeste's initial header went over the bar (16'). From this point on both sides mostly neutralized each other in midfield as the match headed into the break with the hosts up a goal.

FC more focused

1. FC Köln started the second half with a 3-5-2 system as Simon Zoller took over Rausch's position on the left. Just five minutes into the second half FC had a chance as Höger put a ball into the box for Osako. Unfortunately, the Japanese international just missed the far post with his header (50'). Minutes later, Mavraj went just wide with his header as well (54'). Peter Stöger then opted to bring on Sehrou Guirassy for Lehmann (70'). Guirassy did well to break down the opposition on the right side and send a dangerous ball across teh box, but Zoller could not make contact at the far post (79'). FC piled on the pressure until the end, but it was not meant to be as the hosts held on to the win.

Rhine derby up next

After the international break 1. FC Köln will prepare for the Rhine derby on the road against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday, 19 November 2016 (15:30).

Match Details

SG Eintracht Frankfurt: Hradecky – Abraham, Hasebe, Vallejo – Chandler, Mascarell, Huszti (88' D. Blum), Oczipka – Fabián, Gacinovic (83' M. Hector) – A. Meier (73' Seferovic)

1. FC Köln: T. Horn – Sorensen, Mavraj, Heintz, J. Hector – Risse, M. Lehmann (70' Guirassy), Höger, Rausch (46' Zoller) – Osako, Modeste

Goal: 1-0 Gacinovic (5', Chandler)

Yellow cards: Abraham (40'), Mascarell (65'), Fabián (90') | Rausch (43'), Mavraj (79'), Osako (90')

Referee: Deniz Aytekin

Attendance: 51,500 (sold out)