Bülter fires Köln to another win against lackluster Freiburg

Newly-promoted Köln start the season with six points after a convincing 4-1 victory over pointless Freiburg.

The first ten minutes were cagey, but the last game of the second matchday came to life after that. Midfielders Maximilian Eggestein and Jan Thielmann had the best chances of the first-half at either end before the breakthrough for the hosts.

Köln grew as the half went on, and they got their reward ten minutes before the half-time break. Freiburg failed to properly clear a short corner-kick routine, and Jakub Kamiński got to the end of an inviting cross by fellow new signing Marius Bülter.

Lighting struck again after the break, with Bülter on the receiving end of a similar delivery from the flank. Thielmann provided the assist in a superb performance by Köln’s long-serving winger.

With his second goal in as many games, Bülter shows he can still be a difference maker at the Bundesliga level. Starting from his Union Berlin spell, the hardworking all-rounder is a consistent threat to opponents.

Freiburg showed a bit of improvement, but they were hit again by another move that involved a perfect delivery from the flank. Thielmann scored with a superb finish as Bülter registered his third direct goal involvement of the night.

Lukas Kwasniok, who wore the club’s kit like the previous week, celebrated the goal in an iconic way with one of his assistants. The Köln coach could keep this up as a superstition since the newly-promoted team won both games.

There was even more celebration at RheinEnergieStadion. On his home debut, Said El Mala provided another contender for “Goal of the Match” with a beautiful strike. El Mala has been called up to the Germany U21 after his starring role in the U19 Euros, and he now takes another huge step in first-team football.

Marvin Schwäbe didn’t leave the pitch full of smiles, however. Shortly after Köln’s fourth goal, he conceded a Bundesliga goal for the first time since his return to the league when Eggestein headed home a corner-kick by his captain Christian Günter.

Köln joined Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt at the top with a perfect record after two rounds. Meanwhile, Freiburg are sitting bottom of the standings, with Heidenheim the only other team yet to get a point this season.