Cup exit in Cologne

Cologne - VfL Wolfsburg crashed out of the DFB Cup in the second round following a 2-3 (0-2) defeat away to 1. FC Köln. 31,500 spectators at the ‘RheinEnergieStadion’ saw the home side edge the tie with goals from Manasseh Ishiaku (22’/32’) and Sebastian Freis (65’). Edin Dzeko (54) and Sascha Riether (66’) were on target for the ‘Wolves’.

VfL got off to a poor start on the night in Cologne and after 22 minutes, Ishiaku rose to head home a delivery by Fabrice Ehret to put the home side in front - 1-0 (22’). Just ten minutes later the Nigerian striker popped up again to double the FC lead. VfL keeper Diego Benaglio could only parry a powerfully struck free-kick by Lukas Podolski, from 18 meters out, and Ishiaku was first to react and slot home the loose ball, giving his side a 2-0 lead to take into the break.

After the re-start, VfL began to get the upper hand and soon reduced the deficit to 1-2. Christian Gentner put in a cross from the right and Dzeko peeled away from his marker to volley home from close range (54’). Unfortunately for the ‘Wolves’, their joy was relatively short lived! In the 65th minute, Sebastian Fries restored the home sides two goal cushion as he coolly collected a Podolski through ball to round Benaglio and slide the ball into the net from a tight angle - 3-1. Just a minute later, the ‘Wolves’ were back within touching distance of the hosts. Marcel Schäfer swung in a cross which found Sasha Riether at the back post and the German international netted from point blank range to make it 2-3. VfL threw everything into attack, and should have equalised in the 89th minute, but with a free header from close range, Dzeko somehow managed to head over the crossbar and Köln then hung on to their narrow lead to somewhat fortunately book their place in the next round of the cup.


The game at a glance:

1. FC Köln: Mondragon - Schorch, Mohamad, Geromel, Brecko - Freis, Petit (88‘ Matip), Maniche, Ehret (65‘ Pezzoni) - Podolski, Ishiaku ( 83’ McKenna)

VfL Wolfsburg: Benaglio - Riether, Madlung, Barzagli, Schäfer - Josué - Hasebe (72’ Martins), Misimovic, Gentner (72‘ Ziani)- Grafite, Dzeko

Goals: 1-0 Ishiaku (22‘), 2-0 Ishiaku (32‘), 2-1 Dzeko (54‘), 3-1 Freis (65‘), 3-2 Riether (66‘)

Yellow cards: Mohamad / Madlung, Barzagli, Grafite

Red card: Marcel Schäfer (90‘ + 2‘)

Referee: Wolfgang Stark

Attendance: 31,500