1. FC Köln fell to an undeserved defeat on the opening Matchday of the 2023-24 Bundesliga season against Borussia Dortmund. Donyell Malen scored the winner for BVB in the 89th minute in Signal Iduna Park.

Team news

Edin Terzic named the same starting side that were victorious in the cup against TSV Schott Mainz last weekend.

Steffen Baumgart made two changes from the win in DFB-Pokal over VfL Osnabrück. Dejan Ljubicic and Rasmus Carstensen replaced Denis Huseinbasic and Mathias Olesen.

Level at the break

The first half provided little in the way of clear-cut chances, with few opportunities of note. Davie Selke clipped the crossbar after a strong run from Dejan Ljubicic, Julian Brandt was denied by a brave Marvin Schwäbe stop at the near post.

FC were able to break forward regularly, with the final pass all that was missing from creating a more dangerous opening. At the other end of the pitch, Jeff Chabot continued his fine form with an excellent defensive showing.

Malen wins it for BVB

The second-half began with both sides pushing for the opener in a flowing fixture. Eric Martel headed Florian Kainz’s corner wide, with Mats Hummels unable to convert a similar opportunity moments later. FC’s best chance fell to Sargis Adamyan, who was denied by Gregor Kobel’s sprawling save after Rasmus Carstensen’s clever cross.

Dejan Ljubicic shot wide from 20 yardsafter Max Finkgräfe teed him up on his Bundesliga debut, while Adamyan met his match in Kobel once again after another fine Carstensen delivery. Despite FC’s determination and chances, it was Dortmund who won the game. Julian Brandt’s corner was flicked on by Felix Nmecha and dragged home by Donyell Malen.

FC are next in action on Saturday, 26th August at 15:30 CEST against VfL Wolfsburg. It will be the first home game of the season.

Line-ups

Borussia Dortmund (4-3-3): Kobel – Ryerson (Hazard 84‘), Süle, Hummels Bensebaini (Wolf 84‘) – Sabitzer, Can (Nmecha 59‘), Reus (Adeyemi 70‘) – Malen, Haller (Moukoko 59‘), Brandt.

1. FC Köln (4-2-3-1): Schwäbe – Schmitz, Hübers, Chabot, Pacarada – Ljubicic, Martel – Carstensen (Kilian 90+1′), Waldschmidt (Olesen 66‘), Kainz (Finkgräfe 66‘) – Selke (Adamyan 52‘).

Goals: 1:0, Malen 89’.

Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Oberasbach).

Booked: Malen (90+1’).

Attendance: 81,365 (sold-out).