Köln inflict heart-Ache on Mainz with second-half turnaround

Ragnar Ache was 1.FC Köln’s hero this afternoon, as his goals secured a first win for Effzeh since mid-November.

After the tricky test of Bayern Munich during the midweek games, 1.FC Köln welcomed a resurgent Mainz 05 to the RhineEnergie Stadion this afternoon – the game ended in 2-1 win for the hosts as Ragnar Ache struck twice. 

The first moments of this fixture was characterised by the lively presence of Said El-Mala. The Köln wonderkid fired wide of Daniel Batz’s goal and minutes later went on a mazy run through the Mainz defence to no avail. 

Suddenly, on the stroke of the half-hour, Urs Fischer’s men constructed a 1-0 lead. Danny Da Costa combined nicely with veteran Stefan Bell in the box for the latter to find space and finish off the crossbar like a seasoned striker.

Köln looked shaky thereafter, with Mainz’s winter signing Silas to the fore. The DR Congo native was slipped in behind Simpson-Pusey and Seboulonsen by Phillip Tietz, but crucially couldn’t get the better of Marvin Schwäbe.

Köln emerged with energy from the break as Castro-Montes fed Marius Bülter who stung the palms of Batz. Effzeh restored parity close to the hour as Castro-Montes’ cross found Ragnar Ache who headed home emphatically.

With around 20 minutes left on the clock, Bülter was at the heart of Köln’s attack again. The veteran striker brought the best out of Batz, sprawling to punch the 32-year-old’s effort away from danger. 

The comeback was completed in dramatic fashion for Lukas Kwasniok’s side with five minutes remaining. Bülter’s front-post flick found it’s way to Ache who bundled the ball over the goal line as pandemonium ensued.