In a disheartening display, 1. FC Köln lost to SC Verl 1:2 during a test match held on March 20, 2025, at the Südstadion, watched by 710 spectators. Trailing by two goals early in the match, the Bundesliga hopefuls struggled to find their footing and faced serious questions about their preparation for the upcoming league challenges.
The match began on a troubling note for Köln, who under coach Gerhard Struber faced a disorganized defense that allowed SC Verl to capitalize swiftly. Lars Lokotsch opened the scoring just seven minutes into the match with a well-placed shot after a swift exchange with teammate Berkan Taz. This early setback set the tone for Köln, who struggled to regain control of the game.
Matters worsened quickly for the home side, as Tom Baack doubled the lead for SC Verl in the 12th minute. Following a chaotic defensive lapse where Timo Hübers and Neo Telle collided, Baack seized the opportunity, extending Köln's woes. "We have to be more professional; this was unacceptable," Struber said post-match, reflecting on his team's attitude during a critical encounter.
Despite the bleak start, Köln managed to find a glimmer of hope when Tim Lemperle, returning from a prolonged injury layoff, scored in the 19th minute. After regaining possession, Denis Huseinbasic assisted Lemperle, who made a deft run into the box and skillfully slipped the ball past Verl's keeper, Fabian Pekruhl. This moment provided a brief spark, but it did little to ignite a sustained comeback.
As the match progressed, it was evident that SC Verl remained the more proactive of the two teams. They continuously threatened the Köln goal, with Taz striking the crossbar in the 22nd minute and Racioppi, making his debut for Köln, pulling off crucial saves that kept the game's outcome from being more severe. Despite these positives, Köln's overall performance was underwhelming.
During the halftime break, Struber opted to switch from a four-man to a three-man defensive line, hoping to stabilize his team's form. However, the change yielded little improvement. Köln's offensive efforts continued to falter, with their attacks lacking creativity and urgency.
The second half saw minimal change in momentum. Although Luca Waldschmidt did create a threat with a free-kick in the 62nd minute, his effort failed to impact the scoreboard as it sliced narrowly wide of the post. Subsequently, Imad Rondic had a chance in the 72nd minute to level the playing field, only to be denied by a sharp save from Pekruhl.
Ultimately, the team's inability to create enough scoring opportunities or display organized defense was evident. Struber's dissatisfaction with the team's performance was palpable during the post-match conference where he criticized the lack of professional conduct. "We didn’t approach this game with the right mentality. I expected more from these players, and they’ll need to reflect on that," he remarked.
The defeat against Verl not only raises concerns about Köln’s readiness as they prepare for their crucial league encounter against Paderborn on March 29, but it also emphasized the urgent need for improvements in both tactical execution and player mentality. Struber's team, which has been plagued by injuries, must now regroup and refocus as they look to salvage their season.
With a weekend off from competitive play to regroup, the next match will serve as a vital test for Struber's tactics and the players' adaptability moving forward. The hope now is that the lessons learned from this disappointing outing will translate into a more spirited performance against Paderborn, as the push for a successful season continues.
