Despite having the better chances in the game, 1. FC Köln could only draw 1-1 with VfL Wolfsburg after Niklas Bendtner scored a late equaliser. Simon Zoller opened the scoring but the Billy Goats found Koen Casteels in top form.
After their impressive - and slightly fortunate - 3-1 win over VfB Stuttgart, Peter Stöger opted for just two changes from the side that won in Swabia. He added some more steel to the midfield, playing Kevin Vogt instead of Milos Jojic. Yannick Gerhardt also missed out and Simon Zoller came in to partner up with Anthony Modeste.
For Dieter Hecking and Wolfsburg, they managed to edge past a stubborn Eintracht Frankfurt outfit on the opening weekend. Germany's coach of the year also made two alterations, both coming in the heart of midfield. Joshua Guilavogui and Maximilian Arnold dropped out for Aaron Hunt and the returning Luiz Gustavo.
The first half provided little entertainment and neither 'keeper was really troubled by the opposition. Wolfsburg were dominant in possession through-out but couldn't translate that into chances. That was to ultimately cost them later on in the opening 45 and it came as a shock that either side were able to create a chance.
In a tight and tense game, it looked like a mistake would lead to the breakthrough and just that happened on the half-hour mark. A long goal-kick forward from Timo Horn found Anthony Modeste, who flicked on to Zoller. He raced onto the ball and got in between the confused Naldo and Koen Casteels. Miscommunication was the likely cause but that was no concern to the forward; he looped it over the goalkeeper and headed home.
Casteels was called into action early in the second half and produced a fine save one-on-one prevented Zoller from scoring his and Köln's second. The 'keeper to a blow to the face in the process, but that was a small price to pay for keeping out the troublesome striker.
The Belgian stopper was proving more than a worthwhile signing for the small fee they paid to Hoffenheim and he made another vital stop on the hour mark. A ball across the edge of the box found its way to Modeste, who struck a magnificent half-volley, only to see his effort acrobatically palmed away by Casteels.
Wolfsburg finally carved out a chance of their own but to see a combination of Pavel Olkowski and Horn's reflexes prevent Bas Dost from levelling the scores. For all their dominance, the Bily Goats hadn't made it count and had to pay for it late on.
Two substitutes combined to get the equaliser, with Daniel Caligiuri's shot being palmed out to Niklas Bendtner. There was little that Horn could do other than to push it back out, though the Danish forward wasn't complaining.
No late drama would follow, as Casteels prevented Jonas Hector from being the hero was a late save. He was the hero of the day, and Wolfsburg are well aware that they need to improve. For the hosts, it was a result that stood testament to hard work and defensive ability, although they'll be desperately disappointed that they couldn't take another of the many chances created.