Cologne's Funkel wins in the last minute thriller: Auftziegen Nah!

Cologne's Funkel wins in the last minute thriller: Auftziegen Nah!

Köln, Deutschland - The 1st FC Köln took a crucial step towards promotion to the Bundesliga on May 9, 2025. The team prevailed 2-1 against 1. FC Nürnberg, which marked the successful debut of the new coach Friedhelm Funkel. The victory fell in an extremely dramatic manner, because the decisive goal was only achieved in the last minute. [DEWEZET] reports that Cologne can make the promotion clear on his own next weekend against 1. FC Kaiserslautern.

The encounter in Nuremberg started anything but gratifying for the Cologne. Janis Antierte gave the hosts 1-0 in the 46th minute. But Cologne fought back: Florian Kainz equalized in the 67th minute and scored the decisive winning goal in the 90th minute after Nuremberg's goalkeeper Michal Kukucka made a mistake. This late success catapulted Cologne temporarily in the first place in the table, whereby Hamburger SV can pass on Saturday if they win their game. [RP-Online]

Funkel debut and perspectives

coach Friedhelm Funkel, who was recently presented as the successor to Gerhard Struber, brought new impulses to the team with his quiet approach. After a phase in which Cologne took second place but was unable to convince in terms of sport, Struber was released. Funkel had talks with the players and relied on an active offensive strategy, which was worn by the second half at the latest. [Dewezet]

Cologne started dynamically, but was lucky in the second minute when a penalty was withdrawn after video evidence. Despite the chances of being awarded by Eric Martel and Tim Lemperle and a post shot by Jan Thielmann, the team found his rhythm back. Funkel brought Linton Maina to get more speed on the offensive, which the game apparently is good.

Prussia Münster and the league

While Cologne shines in the promotion race, Prussia Münster also shows a positive development. On the same day they won 2-0 against Hertha BSC. Jorrit Hendrix scored both goals for Münster (30th/70th minute), while Hertha's Linus Gechter saw the red card in the 77th minute. With this victory, Münster jumps to 35 points and the 14th place in the table, initially far from the relegation places. Another win next Sunday against SSV Ulm could make the relegation perfect. [RP-Online]

The two teams from Cologne and Münster show that exciting developments are also possible in the 2nd Bundesliga. While the billy goats hope for the big climb with their new trainer Funkel, Münster is working on establishing themselves in the league and avoiding the descent.