Borussia Dortmund woes continue as Jurgen Klopp's men lose at Cologne

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:29 am

Cologne piled further misery on Borussia Dortmund with a 2-1 win at the Mungersdorfer Stadion to leave Jurgen Klopp's men adrift in 14th place.

Kevin Vogt and Simon Zoller scored the goals for the Goats with Ciro Immobile's second-half equaliser not enough for the Westphalians, who continue to disappoint in the Bundesliga this year.

As has been the case all season, Dortmund created enough chances to win it, but a mistake by Roman Weidenfeller proved costly as they dropped points again ahead of what they will hope will be a tonic in the Champions League in midweek.

Klopp had Ilkay Gundogan back in his team for the first time in 14 months, while both Marco Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan returned from injuries.

He could therefore have no complaints about not being able to field his strongest team, but the returning players showed only that they are rusty and need time to get back into a rhythm with all their attacking intent failing to lead to anything tangible.

Cologne held their ground well and weathered the storm before taking the lead five minutes before the break.

The defeat to Cologne leaves BVB in 14th place, 13 points off Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.
Dennis Grombkowski/Bongarts/Getty Images

Weidenfeller's clearance soon came back at him with Vogt spreading player to Marcel Risse, who returned the favour to allow the midfielder to beat Weidenfeller.

Cologne's lead lasted until just three minutes into the second half when Italy international Immobile brought Dortmund level, finding the back of the net from Reus' pass.

Dortmund then started to turn up the pressure on their hosts, who were pegged back in their own half.

Klopp's men tried everything, even sending Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Mats Hummels forward on numerous occasions to add numbers to the attack, but they were caught out 15 minutes from time.

Weidenfeller completely misjudged a cross from Yuya Osako, leaving Zoller with the simple task of tucking the ball in from close range.

Dortmund could not find an equaliser as they were beaten again and Cologne celebrated their first home win of the season.