Tigges at the double in comeback Cologne victory over Augsburg

Cologne 3-2 Augsburg
Goals: 0-1 Niederlechner 14' (assist: Winther), 1-1 Tigges 47' (assist: Maina), 2-1 Huseinbasic 61', 2-2 Caligiuri 68' (assist: Niederlechner), 3-2 Tigges 81' (assist: Uth)

The first chance of the game fell to Linton Maina 10 minutes in, but the Cologne forward was caught by surprise at the chance and swept at fresh air. Augsburg weren't as profligate with their first sight of goal four minutes later as Florian Niederlechner provided a clinical opener for the visitors. Frederik Winther's ball from the halfway line freed Niederlechner behind the Cologne defence and, with plenty to do, the Augsburg striker plucked the ball out of the air with an excellent first touch before arrowing across goal and into the right corner with an even better finish. Augsburg soon had the ball in the net again as Mergim Berisha flicked home, but the assistant's flag immediately went up for an offside by the finest of margins. The Billy Goats responded well but couldn't muster a first-half equaliser.

Visiting coach Enrico Maaßen called for Daniel Caligiuri at the break as Augsburg looked to chalk up a fifth win of the campaign but they were almost immediately pegged back. Tigges was the man who pulled Steffen Baumgart's team level, meeting Maina's pinpoint cross from the left and planting home on the half volley. Buoyed on by the home support, Cologne were a much improved outfit after the break and Tigges went close to giving his side a lead shortly after his leveller. And they were in front on the hour mark as Augsburg failed to clear their lines, allowing Denis Huseinbasic to swivel home a fine finish on his left foot. Despite the visitors struggling to craft clear cut chances, they were level with 20 minutes to play as Niederlechner nodded Iago's cross at the feet of Caligiuri, who fired home from 12 yards. Cologne weren't to be denied, though, with Tigges wrapping up a much needed three points late on after fine work from substitute Mark Uth.

• Cologne have conceded first in eight of their 10 league games this term, but claimed points in six of those.
• Cologne ended their seven game winless run at home to Augsburg (D3, L4).
• Huseinbasic made his first Bundesliga start for Cologne and scored for a second successive match.
• Tigges' brace was his first in the German top flight. He has three league goals this term.
• Augsburg lost a game for the first time in which they've taken the lead this season.
• Niederlechner's goal was his first of the campaign in the Bundesliga. His last top flight strike came on Matchday 32 of the 2021/22 season, also against Cologne.

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Cologne: Schwäbe - Schmitz, Kilian, Hübers, Hector (c) - Skhiri, Martel - Huseinbasic (Schindler 78'), Duda (Uth 68'), Maina (Adamyan 78') - Tigges (Dietz 89')
Unused subs: Horn, Pedersen, Soldo, Schwirten, Smajic
Out: Andersson (knee), Chabot (ankle), Kainz (suspended), Limnios (knee), Ljubicic (knee), Olesen (ankle), Thielmann (ill)
Coach: Steffen Baumgart

Augsburg: Koubek - Framberger (Pedersen 84'), Gumny, Winther, Iago - Gruezo (Baumgartlinger 84'), Rexhbecaj (c) - Vargas (Caligiuri 46'), Niederlechner (Petkov 74'), Demirovic - Berisha
Unused subs: Klein, Katic, Zehnter, Mbila
Out: Bauer (suspended), Dorsch (metatarsal), Gikiewicz (dead leg), Gouweleeuw (suspended), Hahn (knee), Maier (knock), Oxford (knee), Sarenren Bazee (cruciate ligament), Strobl (knee), Uduokhai (ankle)
Coach: Enrico Maaßen