5 Talking Points from Matchweek 15 of the Bundesliga

#3 Freiburg heap more misery on rock-bottom Cologne

Crvena Zvezda v 1. FC Koeln - UEFA Europa League

With the sacking of Peter Stoger after their 2-2 draw against Schalke and a UEFA Europa League exit after a defeat to Red Star Belgrade on Thursday, it’s as though football in Cologne couldn’t get any worse. But unfortunately, it has.

After a delayed kick-off due to snow, bottom-placed Cologne took on Freiburg, who had picked up just one point away from home all season. Sat just one place above Cologne, Christian Streich found his side 3-0 down against the Billy Goats after just 30 minutes in a game that finally looked promising for Cologne.

Coached by Stefan Ruthenbeck until the winter break, Cologne fans couldn’t have asked for a better start. They dominated play while being very prolific going forward, it finally looked as though they were gaining confidence.

But as luck would have it, their balloon soon burst. Nils Petersen – who’s generally known as the super-sub – started for Freiburg, getting them back into the game just before the break with a beautifully timed volley.

From then on – as has been the case this season – Cologne capitulated. They soon found themselves just 3-2 up after looking so comfortable before concentration faded in the closing stages.

Salih Ozcan gifted Freiburg a penalty in the 90th minute that Petersen tucked away, before Sehrou Guirassy then handled the ball in the area – for no reason – allowing Petersen to complete his hat-trick that saw Freiburg pick up three points, overturning a three-goal deficit.

For Cologne, with 3 points from 15 games, their time in the Bundesliga looks to be over.