KOE Cologne Cologne - RBL Leipzig RB Leipzig

56'
C. Baumgartner
J. Thielmann
51'

29'
C. Baumgartner

RheinEnergieSTADION(49,000 Spectators)

Frank Willenborg

55 %Christoph Baumgartner

0:15

Baumgartner on his brilliant brace

Full-time: Cologne 1-2 RB Leipzig

Leipzig edge this thrilling encounter, with the hosts certainly worthy of a draw despite the result. Thielmann pulled his side level early on in the second 45 but the hosts couldn't build on that leveller, instead conceding a second shortly after. Baumgartner's brilliant touch and finish after a defence-splitting pass from Schlager ended up being the winning goal, although Baumgartner almost gifted the hosts a penalty when he looked to have handled a Thielmann shot inside the area. The Red Bulls held out for a win, taking all three points on the road after a disappointing couple of matchdays before today.

Full-time

90'

+ 7

Finkgräfe shoots wide!

He receives the ball close to goal just moments after coming on, but drags his finish wide with the goal gaping.

90'

+ 6

Time running out

The full-time whistle is drawing closer and Leipzig continue to frustrate Cologne.

90'

+ 6

Substitution

Max Finkgräfe

Antonio Nusa

90'

+ 4

Yellow card

Péter Gulácsi

90'

+ 1

Nine more minutes!

There will be plenty of time added on at the end of normal time here.

90'

+ 1

Late rescue?

Do either of Cologne's young substitutes, Schenten and Chávez, have a late equaliser in them?

90'

+ 1

Yellow card

Ezechiel Banzuzi

90'

Substitution

Felipe Chávez

Jan Thielmann

90'

Substitution

Fynn Schenten

Ragnar Ache

90'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.

Yan Diomande34.97km/h

Saïd El Mala34.33km/h

David Raum33.28km/h

87'

Time running out

Cologne don't have much time left to find an equaliser, but Leipzig continue to cause them problems.

85'

Off the post

Nusa cuts inside from the left before trying his luck. His shot is deflected, and kisses the outside of the post. Cologne clear the following corner.

82'

Disappointment for the hosts

Cologne's hopes of getting a route back into this game are dashed, with the officials finding an offside in the build up to that chance.

82'

Substitution

Ezechiel Banzuzi

Brajan Gruda

82'

Substitution

Tidiam Gomis

Yan Diomande

80'

Suspense

The referee is checking the replay on the pitchside screen. Will Cologne get their penalty?

78'

Substitution

Luca Waldschmidt

Kristoffer Lund

77'

SituationNo penalty

ReviewHandball?

DecisionNo penalty

So close!

Thielmann fires a half-volley goalward from distance. It flies through a crowd of bodies and looks to be heading in. Baumgartner blocks it right in front of goal, but did he block it with his hand?

76'

Diomande!

Leipzig manage a quick breakaway, with the ball ending up with Diomande just outside the box. He aims for the bottom corner of Schwäbe's goal, but the 'keeper saves.

76'

Yellow card

David Raum

76'

Yellow card

Christoph Baumgartner

No escape

Leipzig are struggling to end Cologne's spell of pressure.

73'

Billy Goats fighting for a result

The hosts have been working hard to reduce Leipzig's impact on this game.

Tackles won

101

70'

First involvement

Bülter cuts it back to Kamiński by the penalty spot, who misses the ball as he goes to strike it.

69'

Attacking change

Bülter enters the field for the Billy Goats, who are desperately trying to get back level.

68'

Substitution

Marius Bülter

Ísak Jóhannesson

Fierce

Both sides are leaving everything out there this afternoon.

64'

Substitution

Ridle Baku

Benjamin Henrichs

64'

Substitution

Conrad Harder

Rômulo

61'

Closing the gap

Cologne are closing the gap in regard to possession this half.

Possession (%)

4258

60'

Inches away

Ísak Jóhannesson flashes a ball across the six-yard box, but Ache is caught on his heels and can't reach it.

58'

End-to-end!

Not long after Cologne had equalised, Leipzig retake the lead. It's been a hectic start to this half, with both sides immediately going on the offensive after that second Baumgartner goal.

58'

Yellow card

Jan Thielmann

57'

Win Probability

This Match Fact documents significant changes in the probability of victory for both teams during the course of the match. The value is based on actual match play and incorporates existing Match Facts such as Expected Goals, Skill and Set-Piece Dange

55'

35.1 %

Now

72.2 %

2-1, Baumgartner again!

Schlager slices the Cologne defence open with his pass, finding Baumgartner with space inside the box. He takes it on the turn, before smashing it into the near corner of the net.

56'

Christoph Baumgartner

GOAL!

1:2

Goal probability

Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.

15 %

Shot speed

Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.

100.4 km/h

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

13.16 m

52'

Yellow card

Ole Werner

52'

SituationGoal

ReviewPrevious foul?

DecisionGoal

There it is, Cologne have their equaliser!

And what a finish it is! Thielmann picks up a loose ball on the edge of the area, turns and digs out a finish which flies into the top corner of the goal.

51'

Jan Thielmann

GOAL!

1:1

Goal probability

5 %

Shot speed

Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.

78.51 km/h

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

16.1 m

50'

Wide of the mark

Lund crosses into Ache, who glances a header wide from a great position inside the area.

48'

Positive start

Cologne are taking the initiative in these opening exchanges.

46'

The action returns!

The second half is underway.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Cologne 0-1 RB Leipzig

The visitors go into the break with the lead after an entertaining first half. Leipzig dominated the ball but Cologne still managed to threaten, with El Mala twice going close for the hosts. It was Leipzig who broke the deadlock, however, with Baumgartner flicking a Raum free-kick past Schwäbe to give his side the advantage.

45'

+ 1

Fruitless

Leipzig can't make anything of the corner, and the whistle blows for the break.

Half-time

45'

+ 1

Diomande magic!

He weaves his way into the box with some great footwork before firing at goal. His shot is blocked, and Leipzig have a corner.

43'

Settling down

Leipzig are enjoying a spell of possession as they look to get back on the front foot before the break.

39'

Dragged wide

Henrichs tries his luck from outside the box, but pulls his effort wide of the far post.

38'

Ball Recovery Time

Ball Recovery Time gives the time in seconds in which it takes a team to win back the ball following a loss of possession. It also allows conclusions to be drawn about a team's style of play. Only time when the ball is in play is counted (i.e. no breaks in play such as for goal-kicks, throw-ins etc).

KOE

RBL

14.3 s

11.5 s

35'

Searching for the leveller

Cologne are gaining momentum here, with Leipzig penned in their own half.

33'

On target

The visitors open the scoring with just their second shot on target.

Goal attempts

2off target

2on target

8off target

2on target

Leipzig take the lead!

Raum swings in a deep free-kick toward the penalty spot, where Baumgartner rises highest to flick his header past Schwäbe.

30'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.

Yan Diomande34.97km/h

Saïd El Mala34.33km/h

Kristoffer Lund Hansen33.18km/h

29'

Christoph Baumgartner

GOAL!

0:1

Goal probability

9 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

7.78 m

26'

Air shot!

A corner is fizzed in toward the penalty spot where Schlager has hung back. He goes to strike it first-time but fails to connect, and Cologne survive.

El Mala wide!

Ache holds the ball up and then lays it off to Krauß, who slides in El Mala on the left of the box. He tries to find the open far corner but is under pressure from the onrushing Orbán, and flashes his finish wide of the post.

Tense

There's been a good tempo to these first 20 minutes, despite a lack of goalmouth action.

18'

Penalty shout

Thielmann feeds Ache inside the box, who is having his shirt pulled as he receives the ball. The hosts appeal for a spot-kick, but their calls are waved away.

14'

Early nerves?

There's plenty of attacking intent from both sides but they're also rushing their passes, seemingly over-eager to break the deadlock.

10'

Strong start

The visitors have had the majority of the ball early on, but Cologne still managed to create a good chance.

Possession (%)

3466

Off the post!

A low cross from inside the box by Raum is met at the front post by Baumgartner and Schwäbe saves, but the rebound falls to Rômulo who pokes an effort against the post before Cologne clear.

Straight at Gulácsi!

A Leipzig attacks breaks down and Cologne counter. Ache feeds El Mala inside the area, but his first-time shot is straight at the 'keeper.

Front foot

Leipzig have made a determined start, looking to get the ball forward as quickly as possible.

Off we go!

The visitors get the ball rolling this afternoon.

Kick-off!

0:05

Leipzig are ready to go!

Familiar face

Leipzig defender and former Billy Goat Max Finkgräfe makes the visitors' bench this afternoon and marks the first time back at the RheinEnergie Stadion since his summer move.

0:06

Gruda gets reacquainted with the RheinEnergie Stadion

More on that Leipzig team

Die Roten Bullen also make three changes from their loss to Mainz. Harder, Baku and Bitshiabu are replaced by new signing Brajan Gruda (pictured), Henrichs and Baumgartner in their line-up.

More on that Cologne team

For Cologne, new signing Felipe Chávez makes the bench, while Castro-Montes, Maina and Bülter drop out of the starting line-up from their win against Wolfsburg to be replaced by Ísak Jóhannesson, El Mala (pictured) and Thielmann.

Starting line-up: 1. FC Köln

Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson

Cologne subs

Zieler, van den Berg, Schmied, Chávez, Huseinbašić, Schenten, Niang, Bülter, Waldschmidt

Starting line-up: RB Leipzig

Christoph Baumgartner

Leipzig subs

Vandevoordt, Bitshiabu, Klostermann, Finkgräfe, Banzuzi, Baku, Bakayoko, Harder, Gomis

0:15

The calm before the storm

Bulls on the road

Leipzig have won four of 10 away games so far this season, drawing three and losing three of the other six games, although two of those losses came to league leaders Bayern Munich and third-placed Hoffenheim. Cologne have won four of their 10 home games to date, drawing twice and losing the remaining four.

Ole Werner on facing Cologne

"Cologne have been very consistent of late. They adapt very well to their opponents, but they've become very dangerous up front and have a lot of pace down the flanks. We haven't played how we know we can recently. We want to show our qualities again, regardless of what our opponents are doing."

Lukas Kwasniok on facing Leipzig

"They always play the same way, always going forward. That's their identity. They have incredible pace in their ranks. They're going to attack us high up the pitch and it'll be up to us to hold our own. We're going to have to survive difficult periods in the game, but we feel we can get something from the game."

Schlager to move on

Leipzig confirmed on Friday that midfielder Xaver Schlager will leave the club in the summer after his contract expires. Speaking about the decision, the Austrian said, "We've had moments together in the last three-and-a-half years that I won't forget, like the 2023 cup win or the Supercup. I also really appreciate the efforts the club and the bosses went to over me. But my desire to try something else was greater. It's not a decision against Leipzig but for something new. Those who know me know I'll give my all for this club until the final whistle of my final game."

Antonio Nusa on Leipzig's form

"We had a very good start to the season, but every season has difficult moments. We're in a difficult moment now and we haven't taken enough points. We have to look at ourselves: what are we doing and what do we need to improve? We have so much quality in the team, so we need to work hard and then hopefully we'll get better results."

2:03

Watch: Leipzig 3-1 Cologne - previous meeting

Leipzig ended Cologne's three-match unbeaten return to the big time on Matchday 4. Die Roten Bullen have the superior head-to-head record (W8, D5, L2), and have done a season double over the Billy Goats twice (2019/20 and 2023/24).

Stubborn Billy Goats host faltering Leipzig

Leipzig have never lost against a promoted side since they've been in the Bundesliga, winning 33 games and drawing just five. That's the longest unbeaten record against promoted teams in Bundesliga history. Cologne have won their last two home games, though, while Leipzig have taken just one point from their last two games.

2:03

Watch: Cologne 1-0 Wolfsburg - highlights

Linton Maina's first-half strike was enough as Cologne edged Wolfsburg to move further clear of the drop zone. Despite it being only their second win in their last 11 league matches, the Billy Goats have managed to carve out a five-point buffer on the bottom three, with 14 rounds of fixtures remaining.

2:03

Watch: Leipzig 1-2 Mainz - highlights

Leipzig dropped points for the second straight week and third time in five games in 2026 after blowing a 1-0 lead in defeat to lowly Mainz. The result, coupled with another win for in-form VfB Stuttgart, nudged them out of the top four into fifth, with Bayer Leverkusen breathing down their necks in sixth.

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 21 fixture between 1. FC Köln and RB Leipzig.

KOE Cologne Cologne - RBL Leipzig RB Leipzig

Vote for your Man of the Match!

Baumgartner on his brilliant brace

Full-time: Cologne 1-2 RB Leipzig

Finkgräfe shoots wide!

Time running out

Substitution

Yellow card

Nine more minutes!

Late rescue?

Yellow card

Substitution

Substitution

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

Time running out

Off the post

Disappointment for the hosts

Substitution

Substitution

Suspense

Substitution

So close!

Diomande!

Yellow card

Yellow card

No escape

Billy Goats fighting for a result

First involvement

Attacking change

Substitution

Fierce

Substitution

Substitution

Closing the gap

Inches away

End-to-end!

Yellow card

Win Probability

2-1, Baumgartner again!

GOAL!

Yellow card

There it is, Cologne have their equaliser!

GOAL!

Wide of the mark

Positive start

The action returns!

Half-time: Cologne 0-1 RB Leipzig

Fruitless

Diomande magic!

Settling down

Dragged wide

Ball Recovery Time

Searching for the leveller

On target

Leipzig take the lead!

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

GOAL!

Air shot!

El Mala wide!

Tense

Penalty shout

Early nerves?

Strong start

Off the post!

Straight at Gulácsi!

Front foot

Off we go!

Leipzig are ready to go!

Familiar face

Gruda gets reacquainted with the RheinEnergie Stadion

More on that Leipzig team

More on that Cologne team

Starting line-up: 1. FC Köln

Cologne subs

Starting line-up: RB Leipzig

Leipzig subs

The calm before the storm

Bulls on the road

Ole Werner on facing Cologne

Lukas Kwasniok on facing Leipzig