Bundesliga
Cologne and Anthony Modeste welcomed reigning Serie A champions AC Milan - minus the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic - to the RheinEnergieStadion on Saturday as a wide range of technology was debuted in an historic first Innovation Game.
In addition to the illustrious visitors, the match was a special occasion for another reason: dubbed an 'innovation game', it offered spectators a brand-new matchday experience, with players equipped with bodycams and microphones, while automated highlights and exciting data feeds were also on display. It gave insight into the workings of Steffen Baumgart and his side, while bringing fans closer to the action than ever before. It began with microphones catching the pre-match team talk from the Billy Goats, before Timo Hübers' bodycam put viewers in the thick of the action as he jostled with Milan defenders from a corner. The Italian side ultimately got the better of the first half, with Olivier Giroud scoring twice to make it 2-0 at the break.
Former Eintracht Frankfurt attacker Ante Rebic was a particular menace in the first 45, but Cologne kicked into gear after the interval. They could have halved the deficit on 54 minutes but Tim Lemperle lost his balance when one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Mark Uth also went close with 20 minutes to play, before Florian Dietz finally pulled one back. He rattled home from close range with four minutes to play, giving the hosts some late belief of a fightback. They weren't able to level, however, as Milan took the victory in a fascinating game both on and off the pitch.
Watch: Florian Dietz's goal against Milan seen from teammates' bodycam
Teams
Cologne: Schwäbe - Schmitz (Ehizibue 46'), Hübers (Kilian 61'), Chabot (Martel 72'), Pedersen (Maina 72') - Skhiri (Arrey-Mbi 72'), Ljubicic (Schindler 28') (Olesen 72'), Kainz (Thielmann 72'), Adamyan (Lemperle 46') - Modeste (Dietz 78'), Uth (Hector 72')
Unused subs: Horn, Schwirten
Out: -
Coach: Steffen Baumgart
Milan: Tatarusanu (Mirante 46') - Florenzi (Roback 62'), Kalulu (Coubis 62'), Gabbia, Ballo-Toure (Robotti 82') - Bakayoko (Brescianini 72'), Pobega (Bartesaghi 82') - Messias (Traore 62'), Diaz (Adli 46'), Rebic (Maldini 61') - Giroud (Michelis 62')
Unused subs: Gala, Stanga
Out: Ibrahimovic (knee)
Coach: Stefano Pioli
Watch: Steffen Baumgart gives pitch-side instructions to Mark Uth
Live blog - As it happened!
Maina turns and shoots from inside the box, but his shot lacks the power to trouble the goalkeeper. That's probably that...
Arrey-Mbi flicks Maina's corner against the bar. Hector arrows the loose ball goalwards, with Dietz directing it past the goalkeeper with his head. Can Cologne go on and find a late leveller?
Modeste's ploughed a lonely furrow since those two early openings. Still, the Frenchman showed why he'll likely be among the goals once again in 2022/23.
Summer signing Linton Maina is among the new faces on the pitch for Cologne.
A ball into the box falls kindly for Uth. He hits it on the turn, but the shot's too close to Tatarusanu.
Robak forces a mistake from Cologne goalkeeper Schwäbe, who gifts possession to Maldini. The son of the great Paulo can't steer the ball on target, though.
Danger for Cologne as Florenzi whips a cross into the box. Rebic is on the end of it, but Ehizibue does just enough to put him off.
Lemperle goes to ground in the Milan box under a challenge from Katutu, but the referee is unmoved.
Can the Billy Goats mount a comeback in front of their own fans?
Cologne started well, but were twice undone on the counter. Expect Baumgart to make changes, with captain Jonas Hector among the substitutes...
Here come Milan again. Rebic is involved and picks out Giroud, whose shot from a tight angle is beaten away by Schwäbe at full stretch.
Milan score a second goal with only their second chance. It's Giroud again, this time collecting a pass from Brahim Diaz before letting fly from range. A deflection off Chabot leaves Schwäbe with no chance.
The Cologne midfielder has picked up a knock, and heads straight off. Schindler - more of a winger - is on.
Florian Kainz takes aim from range, but it's easy for the Milan goalkeeper. Encouraging response from the Billy Goats!
So harsh on Cologne after such a bright start. The Italians counter with Junior Messias, who finds ex-Eintracht Frankfurt man Ante Rebic. His superb back-heel sets up Olivier Giroud, who clips the ball over Marwin Schwäbe from close range.
Another Cologne corner has AC Milan at sixes and sevens. This time Timo Hübers is up for Uth's cross, sending a fierce header over the crossbar.
Cologne have started really brightly. The Billy Goats win another corner, which Tatarusanu manages to clear ahead of Uth. Modeste takes on the loose ball, but his shot is blocked by Gabbia. Gabbia
Modeste - Cologne's 20-goal top scorer last season - gets his head on a cross, but doesn't trouble Tatarusanu.
Under way in sun-drenched Cologne...
Schwäbe - Schmitz, Hübers, Chabot, Pedersen - Skhiri, Ljubicic, Kainz, Adamyan - Modeste, Uth
Mirante, Maldini, Roback, Brescianini, Gala, Adli, Traore, Kalulu, Michelis, Coubis, Stanga, Bartesaghi, Robotti
Tatarusanu - Florenzi, Kalulu, Gabbia, Ballo-Toure - Bakayoko, Pobega - Messias, Diaz, Rebic - Giroud
For example, fans will be able to experience the game from new perspectives - through the eyes of a player - with a number of the Cologne contingent tonight using special bodycams. Automated highlights and exciting data feeds are also on offer. There will also be an improved stadium experience, with a strategic crowd management system which will inform fans which kiosk or toilet has the shortest queue.
So, apart from getting to see the sublime Billy-Goats as they take on Italian champions AC Milan, what else is so special about this evening's encounter at the RheinEnergieStadion? We have numerous new technologies to talk about as part of the hosts' partnership with Deutsche Telekom.
A very warm welcome to what is a very special occasion with Cologne set to face AC Milan in a friendly encounter that offers plenty to get excited about !