Saïd El Mala's heroics earn Cologne a point in snowy Heidenheim
Cologne's super-sub Saïd El Mala made an instant impact upon his second half introduction, scoring a sublime equaliser in the Billy Goats' 2-2 draw with Heidenheim on Matchday 16.
Heidenheim 2–2 Cologne
Goals: 1-0 Pieringer 15‘ (assist: Schöppner), 1-1 Martel 18‘ (assist: Castro-Montes), 2-1 Niehues 26‘, 2-2 El Mala 48‘
Both sides entered this Bundesliga clash desperate to turn around their recent fortunes. Heidenheim had endured a difficult start to the season, losing their first four matches, but had since rallied to collect 11 points from their last 11 games.
Cologne, meanwhile, arrived at the Voith-Arena without a win in their previous six league matches, having collected just two points from a possible 18 – form that had seen the promoted side slide to 11th in the table.
With the hosts just three points behind their visitors, the match represented a crucial opportunity in the battle to create distance from the relegation zone.
As snow fell heavily in Heidenheim, it was Cologne who started the brighter, dominating possession and creating the better chances. Ragnar Ache forced Diant Ramaj into an early save after being played through by Jakub Kamiński, before the Polish midfielder himself tested the Heidenheim goalkeeper with a powerful effort from close range.
Despite Cologne's bright start, it was the hosts who broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion. Jan Schöppner's cross from the right found Marvin Pieringer, who adjusted his body brilliantly to execute a stunning bicycle kick past Marvin Schwäbe.
The visitors responded almost immediately, however, with Eric Martel heading home Alessio Castro-Montes' deep cross from the left in the 18th minute.
The equaliser didn't deter the hosts, who continued to grow into the game and regained their lead in the 26th minute.
After a short free-kick routine, Arijon Ibrahimović fired a shot that Schwäbe could only parry into the path of Julian Niehues, who slotted home via a deflection off debutant Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.
The hosts then had a golden opportunity to extend their lead when Ibrahimović's cross found Sirlord Conteh unmarked at the far post, but he somehow sliced his effort wide with the goal at his mercy.
Cologne came close to equalising again in first-half stoppage time, but Simpson-Pusey saw his header saved by Ramaj and his follow-up attempt blocked.
Lukas Kwasniok made a tactical change at half-time, introducing Saïd El Mala for Denis Huseinbašić, and it didn't take long for the substitute to make an immediate impact.
Just three minutes after the restart, the starlet cut inside from the left onto his right foot before unleashing a shot that took a deflection and looped over Ramaj into the net to make it 2-2.
The goal energised Cologne, who dominated much of the second half. Kamiński twice came close with efforts that narrowly missed the target. The visitors continued to push for a winner, with Ache missing the best chance of the half in stoppage time when he slid in at the back post but couldn't steer his effort past Ramaj from close range.
Man of the Match: Saïd El Mala
El Mala demonstrated once again his capacity to make an impact as a super-sub for Cologne. Introduced at half-time with his team trailing 2-1, the youngster took just three minutes to make his mark. This was his fourth goal as a substitute this season, equalling Heidenheim's Stefan Schimmer for the most in the Bundesliga.
El Mala continued to threaten throughout the second half, nearly scoring a winner in the 86th minute with another curling effort that narrowly missed the target.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Heidenheim 2.16 - Cologne 2.77
Fastest player: Sebastian Sebulonsen (Cologne), 34.05 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Marvin Pieringer (Heidenheim), 4 per cent
Most pressed player: Sirlord Conteh (Heidenheim), 14 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Kristoffer Lund (Cologne), 1.7
Fantasy Heroes: Alessio Castro-Montes (Cologne, 310 Points), Diant Ramaj (Heidenheim, 283 Points), Eric Martel (Cologne, 275 Points)
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