Bundesliga Regular Season - 18
1. FC Köln 2 - 1 FT FSV Mainz 05
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
19' E. Martel
S. Bell (D. da Costa) 29'
Lee Jae-Sung 43'
HT
46' ↓ E. Martel ↑T. Krauss
46' ↓ I. Johannesson ↑R. Ache
46' ↓ C. Ozkacar ↑K. Lund
57' R. Ache (A. Castro-Montes)
↓ Silas ↑A. Sieb 61'
S. Widmer 61'
72' M. Bulter
P. Tietz 72'
72' S. El Mala
D. Batz 72'
73' ↓ L. Maina ↑L. Waldschmidt
↓ Lee Jae-Sung ↑W. Boving 74'
↓ S. Bell ↑L. Maloney 74'
83' ↓ A. Castro-Montes ↑J. Thielmann
85' R. Ache
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
1. FC Köln
Goalkeepers
Marvin Schwäbe 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Sebastian Sebulonsen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Cenk Özkaçar
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Midfielders
Linton Maina
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
Eric Martel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Alessio Castro-Montes 
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
1
Assists
49%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Jakub Kamiński
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marius Bülter
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Said El Mala
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Ron-Robert Zieler 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Kristoffer Lund
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
47
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rav van den Berg
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tom Krauß
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
47
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Florian Kainz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jan Thielmann
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ragnar Ache 
CLUTCH HERO
85
Goal Time
85
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
8.5
Rating
Luca Waldschmidt
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Fynn Schenten
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
FSV Mainz 05
Goalkeepers
Daniel Batz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Dominik Kohr 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Stefan Bell 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Kacper Potulski 
SHIELD
3
Blocks
3
Blocks
2
Interceptions
1
Tackles
Midfielders
Kaishu Sano
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Danny da Costa 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
7.7
Rating
Paul Nebel
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
22%
Pass Acc
Jae-sung Lee
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
74
Total Mins
74
Entry
Silvan Widmer
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Silas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
61
Total Mins
61
Entry
Phillip Tietz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
92
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Lasse Riess
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Maxim Leitsch
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lennard Maloney
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sota Kawasaki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Armindo Sieb
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
31
Total Mins
Started
Entry
William Bøving
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Arnaud Nordin
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
2
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ben Justus Bobzien
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Fabio Moreno Fell
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24/08/2025 | FSV Mainz 05 | 0 - 1 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | Mewa Arena |
| 28/04/2024 | FSV Mainz 05 | 1 - 1 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | MEWA ARENA |
| 10/12/2023 | 1. FC Köln | 0 - 0 | FSV Mainz 05 | Bundesliga | Cologne Stadium |
| 15/04/2023 | 1. FC Köln | 1 - 1 | FSV Mainz 05 | Bundesliga | RheinEnergieStadion |
| 21/10/2022 | FSV Mainz 05 | 5 - 0 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | MEWA ARENA |
| 09/04/2022 | 1. FC Köln | 3 - 2 | FSV Mainz 05 | Bundesliga | RheinEnergieStadion |
24/08/2025
28/04/2024
10/12/2023
15/04/2023
21/10/2022
09/04/2022
1. FC Köln Win
FSV Mainz 05 Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 18 GD: +57
P: 18 GD: +18
P: 18 GD: +16
P: 18 GD: +9
P: 18 GD: +7
P: 17 GD: +9
P: 18 GD: -1
P: 18 GD: -2
P: 18 GD: -3
P: 18 GD: -3
P: 18 GD: -6
P: 18 GD: -11
P: 18 GD: -15
P: 17 GD: -10
P: 18 GD: -15
P: 18 GD: -15
P: 18 GD: -22
League Standings
P: 27 GD: +72
P: 27 GD: +30
P: 27 GD: +18
P: 26 GD: +17
P: 27 GD: +15
P: 27 GD: +16
P: 27 GD: -1
P: 26 GD: -6
P: 26 GD: -14
P: 27 GD: -15
P: 27 GD: -9
P: 27 GD: -9
P: 27 GD: -13
P: 27 GD: -17
P: 27 GD: -9
P: 26 GD: -19
P: 27 GD: -22
P: 27 GD: -34
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Super-Sub Ache Inspires Gritty Köln Comeback
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 73/100. A match of tactical adjustments where the introduction of a clinical finisher proved the difference, leaving Mainz to rue missed opportunities in their fight for survival.
Mainz Strike First Amidst Heavy Pressure
The atmosphere at the RheinEnergieSTADION crackled with high Stakes as the home side sought to climb the table while the visitors fought desperately for survival. Despite 1. FC Köln dominating possession with 62%, it was the visitors who struck first against the run of play. In the 29th minute, veteran defender S. Bell rose highest to meet a pinpoint cross from D. da Costa, silencing the home crowd. FSV Mainz 05 showed great tactical discipline in the opening period, absorbing heavy pressure and restricting the hosts to low-quality chances. The first half felt like a frustrating puzzle for Köln, who struggled to find the necessary rhythm to breach a stubborn and well-drilled defensive line.
The Substitution That Changed Everything
Everything changed with a pivotal managerial decision at halftime. The introduction of R. Ache shifted the entire dynamic of the contest. The substitute wasted little time making his mark, firing home the equalizer in the 57th minute after being set up by A. Castro-Montes. Suddenly, the tactical Balance of the match swung violently in favor of the Billy Goats. The Intensity of Köln's play increased tenfold, resulting in a barrage of 18 shots that turned the Mainz box into a shooting gallery. The visitors struggled to retain the ball, their passing accuracy dropping as the pressure mounted, while Köln's relentless wing play continued to test the resolve of the weary Mainz defenders.
Ache Seals the Deal Under the Lights
The drama reached its crescendo in the 85th minute. Showing the instincts of a true finisher, R. Ache capitalized on a defensive lapse to smash home his second goal of the afternoon, securing a late winner from a draw. This clinical brace ensured there would be no late Upset Factor for the visitors, who had defended heroically for large stretches. The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 victory for Köln, a result that leaves Mainz languishing in the relegation play-off spot. For the hosts, this was a masterclass in persistence, turning a one-goal deficit into three points through sheer offensive volume. The victory consolidates their position in the top ten and serves as a reminder of the impact a game-changing substitute can have on the final scoreline.
Key Questions
What made Ragnar Ache the Man of the Match?
Ache came off the bench to score two goals, proving to be the clinical edge Köln needed to win.
How dramatic was the late winner by Ragnar Ache?
His 85th-minute strike broke the deadlock late in the game, securing all three points in thrilling fashion.
How did 1. FC Köln complete the comeback from behind?
Köln utilized a super-sub and sustained offensive pressure, eventually overwhelming the Mainz defense in the second half.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Defensive Fragility Meets Mid-Season Desperation
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 44/100. This clash is a race to the bottom for defensive composure, where the side that blinks last will likely surrender all three points.
The Setup
As the Bundesliga returns to the RheinEnergieStadion on January 17, 2026, the Stakes couldn't be clearer for two sides struggling to keep the ball out of their own net. 1. FC Köln enters this fixture with a dismal home record, winning just 25% of their matches in front of their own fans. Visitors FSV Mainz 05 are currently entrenched in 16th place, plagued by a defensive Balance that sees them concede an average of 2.1 goals per game. With both teams combining for nearly four goals conceded per match, the narrative is built on exploitation rather than execution.
Key Battle
The decisive duel features Köln’s Linton Maina against Mainz’s creative heartbeat, Nadiem Amiri. Maina’s blistering pace and recent Stars-level performances (7.9 rating) make him the primary threat to a Mainz backline that lacks lateral mobility. However, the game may well be decided by whether the Köln midfield can neutralize Amiri, whose vision and set-piece delivery remain the visitors' most potent weapon in their fight against the drop.
Our Prediction
Given the statistical certainty of goals—a combined 3.1 expected per match—this will not be a cagey affair. Köln’s tendency to collapse at home and Mainz’s inability to shut the door suggest a high-scoring stalemate. The Form of both attacks should easily override the lackluster defensive structures. We anticipate a chaotic 2-2 draw where momentum swings wildly until the final whistle.