FC Köln secured a vital 1-0 victory over SC Freiburg in their relegation battle on Sunday, extending their lead at the bottom of the Bundesliga to four points. The win came despite conceding a late goal from the hosts, which highlighted the tight competition for the final spot in the top flight.
The match was played at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne, and both teams had been struggling in recent weeks. Cologne were particularly in trouble after losing three straight matches, while Freiburg had also seen their form slip.
Cologne's chances of staying in the Bundesliga were further diminished when defender Fabian Delph was sent off for a second yellow card early in the game. This setback added pressure to the team, but they managed to find the back of the net through substitute midfielder Maxi Krohn.
Krohn's goal gave Cologne a much-needed boost and helped them maintain their position at the bottom of the table. The result also lifted the morale of the team, who have now won two out of their last five games.
Meanwhile, Freiburg continued to struggle, with goalkeeper Thomas Müller making several saves to keep his side in contention for a Europa League spot. However, the loss means that they will need to rely on other teams' results if they want to avoid relegation.
The victory over Freiburg leaves Cologne with 29 points, one point behind Freiburg and six points behind leaders Bayern Munich. They will now face another tough test against Schalke 04 next weekend, looking to continue their climb up the league tables.
Overall, this victory is a positive development for Cologne and puts them in a better position to compete for the remaining spots in the Bundesliga. However, they will still need to be careful not to slip up again and ensure that they stay in the race for the title.