Stalemate in Hamburg extends Köln’s winless run | OneFootball

Köln have only picked up a single point from their last five games, but they started this one on a positive note. Having beaten Hamburg 4-1 in the reverse fixture, Lukas Kwasniok’s side were determined to do the double to boost their survival hopes.

However, that wasn’t converted into chances until Said El Mala and Jakub Kamiński’s blocked shots. In a game of few chances, the first shot on target brought the opening goal of the Topspiel encounter.

Fabio Vieira got the better of Marvin Schwabe with a delightful chip for his fifth Bundesliga goal. Alongside the faultless Luka Vušković, the two players who have signed on loan from North London clubs are the main reasons for HSV’s respectable position in the standings.

Köln found their way back in the game before the half-time break. Daniel Heuer Fernandes saved Ísak Jóhannesson’s effort, but El Mala scored from the resulting corner-kick as he was left alone in the far post. The sought-after winger has now reached nine non-penalty goals in only 12 starts in his debut Bundesliga season.

The visitors had another 19-year-old in the other flank, but Youssoupha Niang had to leave his spot for the experienced Linton Maina after an uneventful 45 minutes. There was also a long wait for the first real chance of the second-half.

In fact, the first noteworthy moment after the restart came when the referee booked HSV’s head of medical, Prof. Dr. Götz Welsch. Substitute Daniel Elfadli nearly won it from an injury-time set-piece opportunity in Merlin Polzin's 50th game in charge of HSV. The visitors also had one last chance from a set-piece, but nothing came out of it.

Köln will remain outside the drop zone irrespective of results elsewhere on the final day of matchday 26. HSV picked up four points against direct rivals in their last couple of games.

Köln will face the fierce derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach next week, while HSV travel to second-placed Borussia Dortmund.