Linton Maina earns Cologne crucial win over Wolfsburg

Linton Maina scored the only goal as Cologne put some welcome space between themselves and the bottom three with victory over lowly Wolfsburg.

Cologne 1-0 Wolfsburg 
Goals: 1-0 Maina 29' (assist: Krauß)

In a big game between two sides looking nervously over their shoulders at the relegation zone, Cologne welcomed Wolfsburg to the RheinEnergieStadion. Both teams entered the match in poor form, with the hosts having won just one of their last 10 Bundesliga matches and the visitors sitting on their lowest-ever points total (19) after 19 matchdays.

After a somewhat scrappy opening, Ragnar Ache squandered a golden opportunity in the 14th minute when he completely missed his kick from five metres after a perfect cutback from Marius Bülter. Four minutes later, Ache came closer with a header that forced a brilliant reflex save from Kamil Grabara. Cologne continued to ask questions, and in the 29th minute, their pressure told. Tom Krauß found Maina on the right, who cut inside and unleashed a left-footed strike from 20 metres that took a slight deflection before nestling in the bottom corner. The Billy Goats remained on top until half-time, with Wolfsburg struggling to create clear chances despite having more possession.

Maina nestled the decisive goal past Kamil Grabara in the first half. - IMAGO/Dennis Ewert/RHR-FOTO

Schwäbe stands firm as Wolves press

Wolfsburg head coach Daniel Bauer made attacking changes at the interval, introducing Adam Daghim and Kento Shiogai, and his side showed immediate improvement. The Wolves began to control proceedings, pinning Cologne back for long periods. Dženan Pejčinović squandered their best opportunity on the hour mark when he was played clean through on goal but pulled his left-footed shot wide of the far post. As the match entered its closing stages, Marvin Schwäbe became increasingly important for the hosts, making a crucial save from Shiogai in the 90th minute after miscommunication in the Cologne defence. Schwäbe then produced heroics again in added time, sticking out a leg to deny Daghim from close range and ensure his side held on for a precious victory.

Christian Eriksen attempted to orchestrate Wolfsburg's comeback in the second half, but couldn't find a way through a stubborn Cologne defence. - IMAGO/Vitalii Kliuiev

About the players

37

Linton

Maina

1. FC Köln

Maina of the Match: Linton Maina

Maina proved to be the difference-maker with his well-taken goal in the 29th minute. The 25-year-old showed great technique to cut inside from the right before firing home with his left foot from outside the box. Beyond his decisive strike, Maina was a constant threat for Cologne, recording three shots in total and providing an outlet on the counter-attack. His performance earned him 239 Fantasy points and the Man of the Match award with 74 percent of the votes. His removal in the 75th minute for Thielmann came after he had already made his mark on the game that secured three crucial points for his team.

Maina has registered two goals and one assist across his last four league games. - Christof Koepsel

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Cologne 1.39 - Wolfsburg 1.33
Fastest player: Adam Daghim (WOB), 35.28 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Linton Maina (KOE), 3 percent
Most pressed player: Patrick Wimmer (WOB), 20 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Tom Krauß (KOE), +2.19

Fantasy Heroes: Kristoffer Lund (Cologne, 296 Points), Tom Krauß (Cologne, 254 Points), Linton Maina (Cologne, 239 Points)

About the clubs

Wolfsburg

Volkswagen Arena

Cologne

RheinEnergieSTADION