Dortmund maintain perfect start at Cologne

Cologne 1-3 Borussia Dortmund
Goals: 1-0 Drexler (29'), 1-1 Sancho (70'), 1-2 Hakimi (86‘), 1-3 Alcacer (90'+4)

Both sides created half-chances in the opening stages without really threatening the opposition goal until Marco Reus’ dipping free-kick from 25 yards had to be turned around the post by Timo Horn. It was the promoted side, though, that struck first on the half-hour mark when Ellyes Skhiri flicked on a corner and Dominick Drexler stooped low to head home at the far post, for Cologne’s first goal at home in the Bundesliga since 5 May 2018 against Bayern Munich. With BVB rattled, the Billy Goats continued to press and pressurise the visitors’ defence, at one point catching goalkeeper Roman Bürki in possession, and took a deserved lead into the break.

Alcacer had an early chance to bring Dortmund level after the break, spinning his marker inside the box before being denied by a brave Horn, who made himself big from close range. However, it was the Billy Goats with the ball in the net next when Anthony Modeste tapped home a Bürki parry after a corner, but it was correctly ruled out for offside. Borussia finally found a way through the stubborn Cologne defence when Sancho picked up a short corner and fired into the far corner on his weaker left foot to bring the league leaders level. Substitute Hakimi then put Dortmund ahead when he headed home an inch-perfect cross from Lukasz Piszczek before Alcacer wrapped up the comeback, tapping home after Sancho had broken away on the counter and giving Dortmund two wins from two this season.

Watch: Sancho thankful for playing time in the Bundesliga

• Three of Sancho’s last four Bundesliga goals have come away from home.
• Hakimi's goal was the second by a Dortmund sub already this season after Julian Brandt against Augsburg. In 2018/19 they scored 18, which is an all-time Bundesliga record.
• Dortmund have now scored on their last nine Bundesliga visits to Cologne, netting 21 goals in total since a 0-0 draw in February 2006.
• Cologne’s last win over Dortmund was back in December 2015, when Simon Zoller and Modeste fired them to a 2-1 victory at home.
• Drexler’s goal was his first in the Bundesliga after scoring nine in Bundesliga 2 last season.
• Cologne’s last Bundesliga win at home was on 18 March 2018, when they beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0.

Line-ups

Cologne: Horn – Ehizibue, Bornauw, Czichos, Hector (c) – Schindler (Kainz 73'), Skhiri, Verstraete, Drexler – Cordoba (Terodde 55’), Modeste (Höger 81')
Unused subs: Kessler, Sobiech, Schaub, Koziello, Mere, Bader
Out: Clemens (cruciate ligament), Hauptmann (groin)
Coach: Achim Beierlorzer

Dortmund: Bürki – Piszczek, Akanji, Hummels, Schulz (Hakimi 62’) – Weigl (Brandt 62’), Witsel – Sancho, Reus (c), Hazard (Bruun Larsen 85') – Alcacer
Unused subs: Hitz, Zagadou, Schmelzer, Delaney, Dahoud, Götze
Out: Guerreiro (muscular), Morey (shoulder)
Coach: Lucien Favre

Watch: Ehizibue lauds Cologne atmosphere