FC Koln battle from two goals down to claim vital point against Eintracht Frankfurt

Facing the risk of dropping into the relegation zone for the first time this campaign, Koln pressed forward early on, forcing Michael Zetterer to save Jakub Kamiński’s opening effort and Ragnar Ache’s follow-up attempt.

However, the home team had shown strong form during Albert Riera’s initial three matches at their ground, and they quickly took control of the game.

Their initial promising opportunity arrived when Hugo Larsson sent Ansgar Knauff in behind the defence, yet his effort towards the far corner was expertly deflected away by Marvin Schwabe.

Said El Mala then demonstrated his skill by creating room to bend a shot narrowly past the post, while Schwäbe excelled again to stop Arnaud Kalimuendo in a clear one-on-one chance.

Play largely stayed in Koln's territory after that point, though the clearest opportunity in the first half arguably fell to the away side during a counter-attack.

El Mala broke clear in a two-against-one break, opting to pass to Kamiński, but the Pole’s control was poor, allowing Zetterer to rush out and block.

The teams appeared eager for the first goal in a frantic beginning to the second period, with the breakthrough arriving at the 66-minute mark.

Fares Chaibi advanced on the right flank for Frankfurt before cutting the ball back for Jonathan Burkardt to slot home unchallenged, boosting their momentum to seek another score.

It took only moments more for Kalimuendo to react to the rebound from Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab’s effort and rifle it into the top corner.

Koln hit back right away as Kamiński surged through the centre of Frankfurt’s backline and slotted beyond Zetterer.

The away team kept pressing for a leveller, and René Wagner’s changes paid off with about five minutes remaining.

Luca Waldschmidt nodded the ball down for Marius Bulter to deliver across the box, enabling Alessio Castro-Montes to finish from close range moments after entering the pitch.

No further goals came late on, leaving Frankfurt 10 points adrift of the top six places, as Koln sit just two points above the play-off position having secured only two victories in their past 19 Bundesliga outings.