Köln stunned by Marvin Wanitzek's hat-trick in thriller draw

1. FC Köln hosted Karlsruher SC at the Müngersdorfer Stadion at Sunday midday in the 2. Bundesliga and played out an entertaining draw.

FC Köln headed into a game against third place Karlsruher SC off the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw via a last minute goal away against arch rivals Fortuna Düsseldorf. 

Without a win in two league games, Köln started strongly in the game despite not leading on expected goals (xG) as Luca Waldschmidt and Damion Downs netted goals within the first ten minutes.

Leart Paqarada showed his class in playing a key part in these goals through his passing excellence.

Following this, another Downs goal put the Köln lead at 3-0. Despite this, two Marvin Wanitzek strikes meant that Köln were shook at half time. 

But, Tim Lemperle scored with seconds remaining to make it 4-2 at the halfway mark

In the second fourty-five minutes, Gerhard Struber seemed to show his tactical naïvety by failing to take off the weak defensive player Jan Thielmann until after Karlsruhe had scored two to level the game (one of these being Marvin Wanitzek’s hat-trick goal). 

A lack of real attacking ability after this showed a vast contrast from the games prior as Köln were unable to break a now-sturdy KSC defensive line.

From this point onwards, 1. FC Köln and Karlsruher SC provided little thrills and the game ended a draw. 

The aftermath

This result leaves Gerhard Struber without a win in three as coach of the Billy Goats. 

Due to this, some fans may start to raise questions over whether he should continue on this season. 

Karlsruher, however, remain strong in their hunt for promotion under Christian Eichner in third and will continue to push for a place in next season’s Bundesliga.