Ragnar Ache nets stunning bicycle kick as Cologne and Hoffenheim share spoils
Ragnar Ache's stunning bicycle kick proved insufficient for Cologne as they played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim on Matchday 23.
Goals: 1-0 Ache 15’ (assist: El Mala), 1-1 Kabak 45’ (assist: Hajdari), 2-1 Kramarić 60’, 2-2 El Mala 63’ (assist: Kamiński)
An in-form Hoffenheim side travelled to the RheinEnergieStadion looking to continue their impressive post-winter break form, having won six of their seven matches since the restart. Lukas Kwasniok's Cologne, meanwhile, were desperate to bounce back after consecutive defeats.
The opening stages saw Hoffenheim enjoy more possession, but it was Cologne who struck first with a moment of pure brilliance in the 15th minute. Saïd El Mala sent in a cross from near the corner flag, and Ragnar Ache produced an incredible bicycle kick that flew past Oliver Baumann into the net.
The spectacular goal gave Cologne a deserved lead, and they continued to threaten with Jakub Kamiński forcing Baumann into action and Eric Martel heading narrowly wide. Hoffenheim gradually worked their way back into the contest, with Grischa Prömel testing Marvin Schwäbe with a rasping strike from distance. Just before the interval, the visitors found an equaliser when Ozan Kabak received Albian Hajdari's pass and fired home to level the scores. On the brink of half-time, Martel just did enough to put off Wouter Burger when the Hoffenheim man had a free shot at goal.
Watch: Martel makes important intervention
Hoffenheim started the second period strongly and took the lead on the hour mark through Andrej Kramarić, who was making his 350th competitive appearance for the club. Bazoumana Toure's shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Schwäbe, but Kramarić was on hand to head home the rebound.
Cologne responded almost immediately, though, equalising just three minutes later. El Mala, who had scored the winner when these sides last met, fired a low shot through Baumann after being played in by Kamiński during a swift counter-attack. Both teams pushed for a winner in the closing stages, with Alexander Prass firing over for Hoffenheim and El Mala seeing a shot blocked for the hosts, but neither side could find a decisive goal.
Man of the Match: Ragnar Ache
Ache was deservedly named Man of the Match after his sensational opening goal set the tone for this entertaining encounter. The striker's incredible bicycle kick was the highlight of the match and demonstrated his remarkable technical ability. Beyond the goal, Ache was a constant threat to the Hoffenheim defence, involved in five of Cologne's six first-half attempts on goal and constantly causing problems with his movement and physical presence. After scoring just once before the winter break, this was Ache's fourth goal of 2026, continuing his impressive form in the second half of the season.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Cologne 1.12 - Hoffenheim 2.23
Fastest player: Saïd El Mala (Cologne), 35.51 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Ragnar Ache (Cologne), 3 percent
Most pressed player: Saïd El Mala (Cologne), 17 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Jakub Kamiński (Cologne), +4
Fantasy Heroes: Ozan Kabak (Hoffenheim, 358 Points), Saïd El Mala (Cologne, 336 Points), Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim, 288 Points)
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