Füllkrug rescues point as Köln and Bremen share spoils | OneFootball

As Köln looked to claim their second home win of the season and bounce back from the 4-1 defeat against Stuttgart, it was the hosts who made the brighter start against Werder Bremen.

After just eight minutes, the Billy Goats were handed a golden opportunity to open the scoring when Youri Regeer was penalised for handling the ball inside the area.

However, Thijs Dallinga was unable to take advantage from the spot, with Karl Hein diving to keep out the forward’s right-footed effort and preserve the deadlock.

Köln would not have to wait much longer for the breakthrough though.

Just three minutes later, Ellyes Skhiri laid the ball into the path of Linton Maina, who drove a powerful right-footed effort towards goal from outside the area.

Bremen gradually began to grow into the contest, and the visitors came agonisingly close to levelling in the 58th minute.

A long ball towards the back post was headed down by Niclas Füllkrug into the path of Eren Dinkci, who unleashed a powerful effort against the post, and Marvin Schwäbe would have had little chance had the strike been a few inches further inside.

Köln remained dangerous themselves, with Mikey Moore driving through midfield before testing Hein with a powerful effort from the edge of the penalty area.

However, Bremen’s increasing pressure finally told in the 69th minute.

Füllkrug brought the ball under control following a corner before producing the finish to level the scores, netting his second goal since returning to the club and dragging Bremen right back into the contest.

As had been the case all evening, both sides continued to show their teeth, with both goalkeepers made to work on multiple occasions. 

However, crucially, neither had been made to work hard enough, as what had been an intense tug-of-war reached a close at the RheinEnergieStadion, with the score locked at 1-1. 

After the difficult start, Bremen will settle for a point, but both Rene Wagner and Daniel Thioune will be left feeling that they could have taken more home with them.