Haller strikes as Frankfurt down Cologne
Cologne were left rooted to the bottom of the Bundesliga with their fifth defeat in as many games this season, as Eintracht Frankfurt left the Rhein-Energie-Stadion with a 1-0 win.
Cologne 0-1 Frankfurt
Goal: 0-1 Haller (pen. 22')
Cologne's form contributed to Peter Stöger's men making a nervy start, but Frankfurt rarely looked like taking advantage. Indeed, the hosts created the first two chances with Yuya Osako and Simon Zoller both lacking accuracy with shots from promising positions. Frankfurt took the lead midway through the first half when Mijat Gacinovic went to ground under the challenge of Timo Horn inside the penalty area, and Sebastian Haller slotted the Eagles in front.
Kevin-Prince Boateng started to grow in confidence in the second half as Frankfurt began to get their slick game working while Cologne, conversely, kept getting caught out at the back. Gacinovic could have doubled Frankfurt's lead on the hour mark, with a bit more composure, but the best game of the half was squandered by Osako with a miss which sums up Cologne's season so far: it has yet to get off the ground.
Man of the match
Gacinovic was influential in the Frankfurt midfield and it was his run which won the all-important penalty which earned Frankfurt all three points.
Match stats
- This is the first time the Billy Goats have failed to register a single Bundesliga point after five matches.The Eagles equalled a club record: Only once before had they managed to keep three consecutive clean sheets away from home (during the 1992/93 season).This is the first time Cologne have scored just once in their opening five league games.The hosts have never started a Bundesliga campaign with two home defeats.All three of Frankfurt's goals this season have come from dead ball situations.
Watch: Haller reflects on Frankfurt's victory
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Line-ups
Cologne: Horn - Sörensen (60' Klünter), Maroh, Heintz, Rausch - Zoller (46' Risse), Höger (60' Jojic), Lehmann, Bittencourt - Cordoba, Osako
Coach: Peter Stöger
Frankfurt: Hradecky - Abraham, Hasebe, Falette - Gacinovic (90+1' Russ), Chandler, Fernandes, Tawatha, Rebic (67' De Guzman) - Boateng, Haller
Coach: Niko Kovac