5 Talking Points from Matchweek 17 of the Bundesliga

#2 A first league win for last-placed Cologne

Crvena Zvezda v 1. FC Koeln - UEFA Europa League

Germany’s Bundesliga club recorded their first win in the Bundesliga on Saturday. Cologne – who remain rooted to the bottom – fought their way past Wolfsburg with the only goal of the game coming from the local boy, Christian Clemens.

The Billy Goats dismissed Peter Stoger two weeks ago with the Austrian now coaching Borussia Dortmund while it’s been up to Stefan Ruthenbeck to turn Cologne’s season around. Coaching their U19s when called upon, Ruthenbeck has done a remarkable job despite the personnel on offer.

With no fit striker for two games running, right-back Lukas Klunter lead the line – rather impressively – while there were starts for both Chris Fuhrich and Birk Risa, both of whom are 19 making it one of the youngest Cologne starting XI to feature in the Bundesliga.

It took Clemens just four minutes to make an introduction. The 27-year-old has come under some criticism in the past couple of weeks but his determination on Saturday was commended by the Cologne supporters. His goal 20 minutes from time is just his second goal upon his return in January.

And now that they have their first win of the Bundesliga season, Cologne fans will be hoping they can strengthen in the winter transfer window ahead of what will be a tough run of games upon the Bundesliga return on January 13.