Cologne go top of the pack
September 16, 2016
Cologne 3-0 Freiburg
(Modeste 29', 43' Bittencourt 31')
Cologne tend to start well in the top flight and that trend continued on Friday night against Freiburg. Since returning to the Bundesliga for the 2014/15 season, Peter Stöger's team has always gone undefeated after the first three games. After two seasons of consolidation, Cologne are daring to return to the European stage for the first time since a UEFA Cup first round defeat by Celtic in 1992.
Ahead of the game against Freiburg, Stöger said: "We know where we are in the table. If Augsburg, Mainz or Freiburg can make it into the Europa League, then, if everything comes together, so can Cologne."
On inspection, this is not just a statement from an over optimistic head coach. Cologne have come on from the side that put safety first and drew nine games 0-0 in that 2014/15 season. If that wasn't clear after a comfortable dispatching of Darmstadt on the opening day or the strong draw away at Wolfsburg that followed, then it was on Friday night against Freiburg.
Cologne looked as lively on the pitch as the people in their city. Anthony Modeste bagged two headers in the first half, one flicked on from a corner, the other from a long throw-in. Leo Bittencourt finished off a ruthless move that exploited all of the inexperience of Freiburg's youthful defense.
The increase in consistently good performances is not just a team thing either. Jonas Hector became Cologne's biggest star when he was made a regular in the Germany squad, but it goes beyond Joachim Löw's favorite left back. Many were doubtful when Anthony Modeste was signed as a replacement for Anthony Ujah, but in truth he has been an upgrade. The Frenchman bagged 15 goals last season and is already on his way to repeating that tally again this season. Marcel Risse has become a neater, more threatening midfielder, while goalkeeper Timo Horn's stock continues to rise.
The 21-year-old keeper demonstrated the latest piece of evidence testifying to his quality with a superb double save late in the second half to deny a wasteful Freiburg. Perhaps a little too freely than desired, Cologne coasted to the three points.