GOLAZONEWS1. FC Köln Advance to DFB-Pokal Round of 16
- 1. FC Köln defeated Union Berlin 5-0 in the DFB-Pokal.
- Said El Mala scored two goals in the victory.
- The result eases pressure on head coach René Wagner.
1. FC Köln secured their spot in the DFB-Pokal round of 16 following a commanding 5-0 victory over Union Berlin. This performance marks a significant turnaround for the team, coming shortly after a goalless draw against Schalke that had drawn vocal frustration from fans toward head coach René Wagner.
Youngster Said El Mala was instrumental in the win, netting two goals. El Mala expressed his satisfaction with his role, noting that the team successfully channeled their frustration into this performance. Following the match, the players voiced their support for Wagner.
Conversely, Union Berlin struggled significantly in the second half. According to kicker, the team displayed glaring defensive vulnerabilities that emerged unexpectedly, despite having been on a positive trajectory prior to the match.