Sieg des VfL

The Rheinische Derby ended with a great 4-2 victory for Borussia over FC Köln sending Hans Meyer's team closer to its holding off relegation. The resurgence since the start of the Rückrunde is inspiring, a blend of courage and faith that teams through the blood of the VfL.

Borussia took the lead five minutes before the half hour when Marko Marin created space in the left corridor and then crossed into the box for Michael Bradley to finish from three metres. Intensity ruled the day and with Köln fighting back hard this was not to be an easy day. However a flash of inspiration just before the break increased the margin Alexander Baumjohann provided the ball to Karim Matmour who circumvented the goalkeeper before driving the ball into the net. At the break Köln brought in Sergiu Radu and Manasseh Ishiaku looking for a way back into the match and got it four minutes after the hour when Miso Brecko's effort took a fortuitous bounce off a defender and then the post to make it 2-1. However only three minutes later Rob Friend continued his committed play as he increased the two goal margin as Alexander Baumjohann linked up with Paul Stalteri and the other half of the Canadian VfL contingency crossed for Friend to finish. However the Rheinische Derby is never short of dramatics and Miso Brecko set up an incredible finish driving the ball in from fifteen metres with eight minutes remaining. Now only a one goal lead, the home side threw forward hunting for a draw but the Gladbachern fought with the courage and faith that Herr Meyer called for during winter trying and dug in along the lines. With a few minutes remaining a penalty was awarded after Gal Alberman was brought down in the area by Kevin Pezzoni and Michael Bradley converted from the box to make it 4-2. There is much work still to be done and while the goal of avoiding relegation remains, the first task of playing with courage and faith has been etched in granite by Hans Meyer's men.