- FC Köln suffered another narrow defeat in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season, this time falling 3-1 to VfB Stuttgart. The loss extended their poor run against top-flight sides, leaving the team frustrated but determined to bounce back. A late equaliser in the 79th minute briefly raised hopes, only for Stuttgart to pull away again.
Cologne fails to reward itself in Stuttgart - "That's annoying" - FC Köln's Bundesliga struggles continue after 3-1 loss to Stuttgart
Cologne entered the match against Stuttgart hoping to secure at least a draw. Instead, they left empty-handed, with goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe calling the result 'absolutely sobering'. He later admitted that even a single point would have felt 'worth its weight in gold'.
The team's struggles against strong opponents have been a recurring issue this season. Apart from a single victory over Hoffenheim in October, Cologne has failed to take points from any Europa League contender. Their only other loss without scoring came in a 0-1 defeat to Union Berlin earlier in the campaign.
Forward Jan Thielmann acknowledged the frustration but remained upbeat about the team's overall performance. Looking ahead, Cologne will now prepare to host Hoffenheim again this Saturday, aiming to turn their fortunes around against higher-ranked sides.
With just one win against a top-half team all season, Cologne's record remains a concern. The upcoming rematch with Hoffenheim offers a chance to break that trend. For now, the players are focusing on recovery and regaining confidence before the weekend.
