Köln 0-3 Hoffenheim (2017)

Köln 0-3 Hoffenheim
Bundesliga
Sunday 5th November 2017

I've got a confession to make!

When I booked this trip, I did so partly because it was on Guy Fawkes weekend and, with Köln being a decent-sized city, I anticipated that I'd see a decent fireworks display after the game.

I was really looking forward to it on that basis but then the penny dropped. Köln is in Germany; a country which has absolutely no links to the gunpowder plot against the UK government in November 1605. Therefore, there'd be no fireworks display... but I'd already booked the flights!

It was a schoolboy error worthy of putting me straight into contention for any 'prat of the week' award though it wasn't quite a lost cause because, ultimately, it was still another trip abroad. The fact that Borussia Monchengladbach were also playing at home on the Saturday ensured that I'd be more than content and have plenty to enjoy.

Having been to Köln several times previously, I knew pretty much what to expect from both the city and the ground - even though I hadn't actually seen a match at the RheinEnergie Stadion. For anyone that's not been, the stadium is located in the western part of the city - about three or four miles from the centre, but it's easy to reach by tram. As is the case with most clubs in Deutschland, the cost of travel within the city boundaries is included in your match ticket.

At the time, Köln were living in a nightmare - bottom (and winless) in the Bundesliga after a dozen or so games and even at this early stage it was obvious they were in for a tough campaign. The team were competing in their first UEFA competition since the early 1990s and their magnificent support (amongst the best in Europe) was best demonstrated when they took 10,000 supporters to Arsenal. Hoffenheim, who by coincidence have amongst the worst support in the Bundesliga - in terms of numbers, were favourites going into the clash and they found themselves at the opposite end of the division - punching above their weight and comfortably embedded in the Bundesliga's European Qualyfing spots for the following season.

I've said many time before that the Bundesliga is the best league in Europe for many things whether it be the way the clubs are run or for sensible ticket prices compared to the UK and to put that into context, tickets for this game were cheaper than several League Two matches on the same weekend. You can also have a Bratwurst/Curry Worst (or two, or three), have a beer in view of the pitch and even smoke in your seats - simply because there's less legislative bull sh*t around in Deutschland.

One of Köln's stranger rituals is performed by their mascot called Hennes who happens to be a real-life goat which gets introduced to the crowd in comic fashion prior to every home game.

I got the feeling that for some home fans, seeing Hennes with their own eyes was the highlight of their afternoon. If he's meant to be a 'good luck' charm then he certainly didn't bring them any whatsoever on this occasion as they were comfortably outplayed and outclassed by a decent-looking Hoffenheim side who romped to a 3-0 win.

There was simply no spark in Köln's performance, let alone any fireworks, and it came as no surprise whatsoever when they were relegated later in the season.