Modeste and Skhiri the heroes as Cologne shock Freiburg

Freiburg 1-2 Cologne
Goals: 1-0 Czichos (o.g. 40'), 1-1 Modeste (52'), 1-2 Skhiri (90'+2)

Under the watchful eye of Germany coach Joachim Löw and a scorching Black Forest sun, Freiburg looked to keep their impressive Bundesliga start going against a Cologne side defeated in their opening two matches. The hosts started well and put the visitors under constant pressure, bossing possession and having more shots on goal. Cologne grew into the match, though, and even threatened to spoil the home fans' day. Kingsley Schindler had the ball in the back of the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up following consultation with the VAR. Not even two minutes later, a cross from Christian Günter was turned into the Cologne net by an unfortunate Rafael Czichos as Freiburg went in at the break a goal to the good.

Less than 10 minutes after the restart, however, Cologne were level. Skhiri supplied the cross and Modeste applied the finish, powering his header past Alexander Schwolow. The equaliser injected extra life into both sides, with Jorge Mere having a go from distance for Cologne, before Freiburg's Nils Petersen saw an attempt whistle agonisingly wide with just over a quarter of an hour left to play. Jonathan Schmid tested Cologne's Timo Horn in the final 10 minutes, but it was the visitors who had the decisive say in added time. Skhiri stole the ball in the middle of the park and waltzed through the Freiburg defence, before smashing the ball past Schwolow to give the Billy Goats their first points since returning to the Bundesliga as Bundesliga 2 champions.

• Löw was most likely in attendance to watch Luca Waldschmidt, after calling the forward up to the Germany team. Waldschmidt will become Freiburg’s ninth Germany international after Jens Todt, Jörg Heinrich, Sebastian Kehl, Max Kruse, Matthias Ginter, Oliver Sorg, Christian Günter, and Nils Petersen.
• Freiburg’s 13-match unbeaten run at home to Cologne in all competitions has finally come to an end. It’s been 23 years since the Billy Goats won or even led a game in the Black Forest, claiming a 3-1 victory on 24 August 1996.
• The result ends Freiburg’s perfect start to the season.
• Louis Schaub made his Bundesliga debut for Cologne and nearly had an assist to his name, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR.
• Modeste’s goal was his first of the new season,and his first Bundesliga goal since May 2017.
• Skhiri scored his first goal for Cologne since his summer transfer from Montpellier.

Freiburg: Schwolow – Lienhart, Koch, Schlotterbeck – Schmid, Kwon (Haberer 46'), Höfler, Günter (c) – Borrello (Höler 60'), Petersen, Waldschmidt (Sallai 80')
Unused subs: Thiede, Abrashi, Frantz, Heinzt, Jeong, Tempelmann
Out: Flekken (ankle), Itter (ankle), Terrazzino (knee)
Coach: Christian Streich

Cologne: Horn – Ehizibue (Mere 46'), Bornauw, Czichos, Hector (c) – Schindler (Terodde 77'), Verstraete, Skhiri, Drexler – Schaub (Kainz 84') – Modeste
Unused subs: Kessler, Schmitz, Sobiech, Koziello, Bader, Hauptmann
Out: Clemens (cruciate ligament), Cordoba (thigh), Höger (muscular), Risse (groin)
Coach: Achim Beierlorzer