Putting last weeks loss to 'Gladbach in the Rheinische Derby behind them, die Geißböcke responded with an important 2-0 victory in Cottbus.From last weeks starting eleven Christoph Daum brought in Kevin McKenna und Sergiu Raduauf for Nemanja Vučićević und Wilfried Sanou to face die Lausitzer. Köln went cautiously forward feeling out the tactical play of their opponents who showed more aggression early on. In the final fifteen minutes of the opening half Faryd Mondragón did well to hold off Energie and the match went to the break scoreless. The start of the second half went perfectly as only six minutes in Milivoje Novakovič found the back of the net as he sent a rebound for Petit's drive to make it 1-0. Only five minutes later Der Cottbuser Çağdaş Atan was called for a questionable penalty and the referee Dr. Felix Brych pointed to the spot. Milivoje Novakovič easily converted and Köln had a 2-0 lead. For the balance of the match Cottbus surged forward with Timo Rost and Dimitar Rangelov coming close but once again, each was denied in route to a 2-0 victory.
The importance of the victory cannot be understated as it provides ample space from relegation. While many had doubted Geißböcke survival, this once and all should establish that the next climb isn't for "safety" but for the top half of the table.
Photo Credit:1. Fußball Club Köln
