1. FC Köln won their home match 3-0 (3-0) against SC Freiburg with a commanding performance. Anthony Modeste (29' & 43') and Leo Bittencourt (31') decided the match in the first half.

After being out of play in Wolfsburg, Olympic silver medal winner Timo Horn was back in Peter Stöger's first eleven. Apart from that the Austrian head coach did not make any changes in personnel.

Great atmosphere

The match started with a great atmosphere in front of 47,200 fans. Although FC looked like the more motivated side, it was the guests that had the first promising opportunity when Niederlechner could not convert Bulut's mishit effort (5'). But from this point on the better chances fell to the home side, but Modeste (8') and Risse (15') bent their shots wide.

Two in two

Just before the 30-minute mark the match was balanced as both sides were well-organized in defence. FC won a corner, which Risse swung in with his right foot. Modeste reacted well and headed it into the far corner to put FC in the lead (29'). While Freiburg were still in a state shock, Osako entered the box from the right and passed the ball perfectly to Bittencourt, who finished easily to double the lead (31').

Modeste again

The guests needed some time to come to terms with the situation. It was their Italian playmaker Vincenzo Grifo that tried to revitalise Freiburg, testing Timo Horn with a dangerous free kick (37'). But FC were still in fine form. Just before halftime Modeste doubled his tally by converting a long Sorensen throw-in (43').

Bittencourt injured

Freiburg coach Streich opted for an additional striker, Nils Petersen, whose partner Niederlechner had an early opportunity, which he wasted from 15 yards (46'). Then Stöger was forced to make a change as well since Leo Bittencourt picked up an injury and was replaced by Simon Zoller (50').

Eventless second half

The match was not as eventful as in the first half. FC were disciplined and the visitors were never able to put on any real pressure. Still, Freiburg had another good sequence but substitute Petersen missed the target (71'). In the remainder Horn saved his team with two brilliant reactions against Niederlechner (79'). In the end, Cologne earned a well-deserved victory due in large part to an impressive offensive performance in the first and a disciplined strategy in the second half.

Next up: Schalke

The win means 1. FC Köln claimed the top of the Bundesliga table for at least one night. Next week FC will travel to Gelsenkirchen to play FC Schalke 04 on Wednesday, 21 September (8:00 pm) in an attempt to extend their strong run of 10 unbeaten Bundesliga matches to 11.

1. FC Köln: Horn – Sorensen, Heintz, Mavraj, Hector – M. Lehmann, Höger – Risse, Bittencourt (50' Zoller) – Modeste (80' Jojic), Osako (65' Olkowski)

SC Freiburg: Schwolow – Stenzel, Gulde (77' Niedermeier), Söyüncü (46' N. Petersen), Günter – Höfler – Mi. Frantz, Bulut (65' Haberer), Grifo – Philipp, Niederlechner

Goals: 1-0 Modeste (29', Risse), 2-0 Bittencourt (31', Osako), 3-0 Modeste (43', Sorensen)

Yellow cards: Risse (83') | Höfler (40')

Referee: Felix Zwayer

Attendance: 47,200