2. Bundesliga

Downs keeps Cologne top with slender Schalke win

Loading video

Cologne battled hard to keep their league lead, with a fortunate first-half goal sealing the points in a game in which visitors Schalke controlled possession.

Cologne 1-0 Schalke 

Cologne welcomed Schalke to the RheinEnergieStadion looking for a ninth win in 11 league fixtures to stay on top of the table. Schalke, on the other hand, were looking to bounce back from a disappointing 5-2 home defeat against Magdeburg in their previous fixture.

It was a hard-fought and even encounter throughout.
It was a hard-fought and even encounter throughout.

The first half was a cagey affair, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances. The deadlock was broken just before half-time when Downs capitalised on a Schalke defensive error. Mehmet Can Aydin's attempted chest pass to goalkeeper Justin Heekeren was intercepted by Linton Maina, who quickly set up Downs for an easy finish into an empty net in the 43rd minute.

Damion Downs struck his ninth goal of the season.
Damion Downs struck his ninth goal of the season.

The second half continued to be closely contested. Despite Schalke having more possession, Cologne managed to create more opportunities. Schalke pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, with their best chance coming in stoppage time when Tomas Kalas had a close-range header saved, and Kenan Karaman's follow-up attempt went wide.

Cologne goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe made a crucial save to deny Schalke's Jannik Bachmann.

Player of the Match: Damion Downs

Downs proved to be the difference-maker in this tightly contested affair. His goal in the 43rd minute saw him display excellent positioning to capitalise on a Schalke defensive error, slotting home into an empty net. 

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Cologne 1.64 - Schalke 1.11
Fastest player: Linton Maina (Cologne), 35.69 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Damion Downs (Cologne), 94 percent
Most pressed player: Kenan Karaman (Schalke), 22 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Max Grüger (Schalke), +2.84

Related news
Discover more

Being the first to get updated on every Bundesliga goal is as easy as:

  1. Download the Bundesliga app
  2. Choose your favourite club
  3. Get the fastest push notifications, including goals, live data and line-ups!