FC Köln secured their place in the Bundesliga's top flight with a 1-0 victory over SC Freiburg on Sunday, securing their status and avoiding a relegation nightmare.
Modeste scored the only goal of the match for Cologne, who had looked vulnerable throughout the game. The striker converted a well-placed shot from inside the box to put Cologne ahead, sealing their win and leaving Freiburg with nothing but defeat.
Cologne's manager, Oliver Neuhaus, was delighted with his team's performance, particularly in the second half when they dominated possession and forced Freiburg into errors.
"Today we showed that we can play at a high level and not just rely on luck," said Neuhaus. "We controlled the tempo and created many chances, and it paid off with Modeste's goal."
Freiburg, meanwhile, were frustrated by their loss. Head coach Thomas Müller admitted that his team lacked motivation and discipline in the second half, which allowed Cologne to take control of the game.
"We were outplayed and didn't execute our game plan effectively," said Müller. "That's why we lost the match. We need to work hard and learn from this experience."
The result also helped Cologne move up one spot in the table, giving them a chance to challenge for the title. However, they still have some tough games left to play before the end of the season, including home matches against Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg.
Overall, Cologne's win was a relief for both teams, and it will give them hope going into the final stages of the season. With Modeste continuing to perform at a high level, Cologne should be able to maintain their momentum and avoid relegation.