1. FC Köln will say goodbye to the Europa Conference League after the group stage. Despite a big fight and a catch-up race in the second half, the Domstadt team only managed a 2-2 draw against the French representative OGC Nice – not enough to progress.
Nice took the lead before the break with a double from Gaetan Laborde (40') and Billal Brahimi (43'). After the change of sides, Cologne presented themselves as if they had changed: Denis Huseinbasic scored the goal (48th), before Ondrej Duda scored the equalizer in the 60th minute and caused cheers in the stands of the Müngersdorfer Stadion, which was sold out with 47,000 spectators. It developed into a game on one goal, victory would have been possible - but in the end the sensation didn't succeed. Cologne is eliminated as third in the group.
The game took place under heavy security after the first leg was marred by riots. This time the police prevented a dispute in front of the stadium, according to their own statements.
On the other hand, celebrations at Union Berlin: Köpenicker reached the round of 16 of the Europa League as second in the group. Urs Fischer's team won 1-0 at Belgian runners-up Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Sven Michel scored the winning goal in the 6th minute.
The only thing left for SC Freiburg in Azerbaijan was the Golden Pineapple. Coach Christian Streich's team had already qualified for the round of 16 in the Europa League before the last group game. In the end there was a 1-1 draw at Karabakh Agdam, meaning Freiburg have remained unbeaten in this European Cup season and are top of the group. Niels Petersen scored the goal for the Breisgau team with a penalty kick in the 25th minute, and it was only in injury time that Owusu Kwabena scored to equalize for the hosts. After being sent off in the 62nd minute, Freiburg played outnumbered for around half an hour.
In addition to SC Freiburg and Union Berlin, Bayer Leverkusen is also in the round of 16 of the Europa League after finishing third in the Champions League preliminary round. The pairings will be drawn on February 24, 2023, and the games will then take place from March 9th to 16th.
All Europa League results, tables and statistics can be found here
Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Rasenballsport Leipzig have also reached the round of 16 in the Champions League – with the exception of 1. FC Köln, all German representatives in Europe are hibernating.
