Goals from Daniel Didavi and Timo Werner earned Jürgen Kramny his first three points as permanent head coach of VfB Stuttgart on Karneval weekend in Köln, before Christian Gentner added a late goal.
Anthony Modeste opened the scoring for 1. FC Köln from the spot after Marcel Risse was brought down in the box. The 27-year-old Frenchman scored his eighth of the season after suffering an eight game goal drought.
Köln had the chances to double their lead, but a lapse in concentration allowed Filip Kostić to find a cross which was met with a save from ever-present Timo Horn, who could only parry the ball into the path of Didavi, who similarly to Modeste, found the net for the eighth time in the Bundesliga.
Werner sealed three points for Kramny in the opening stages of the second-half with a perfectly timed leap to meet Kostić’s corner, guiding the ball past Horn.
Eight minutes from time, it got worse for Köln as persistence finally paid off for captain Gentner. The midfielder had the simple task of rolling the ball into an empty net as Didavi and Kostić carved Köln's defence open.
Peter Stöger signed a new contract midweek until 2020 after guiding the club to the Bundesliga, and mid-table safety whilst the club added Filip Mladenović to their squad over the winter break, signing the left-back from BATE Borisov as back-up to Jonas Hector. The Serbian international started on the bench for the Billy Goats for the game against Stuttgart.
Following the departure of Alexander Zorniger, Kramny was awarded the permanent role of head coach after impressing during his interim period. Before the winter break, Kramny guided his side to a 3-1 victory over Champions League side VfL Wolfsburg, whilst Stuttgart have since welcomed former Borussia Dortmund player, Kevin Großkreutz to the club as they look to steer clear from relegation.
Köln dominated the possession in the opening 10 minutes, but it was Stuttgart who proved to be more of a threat on the ball. A loose pass from Hector caught Kevin Vogt off-guard, which saw Großkreutz nick the ball ahead of the German, which set up a chance for Christian Gentner who forced an early save from Horn.
Werner forced the Köln goalkeeper into yet another save, but it was Pawel Olkowski at the other end who should have done better from a tight angle, opting for the shot instead of finding Vogt who was in the better position.
Anthony Modeste gives 1. FC Köln the lead
Against the run of play, Risse was brought down in the penalty area by Georg Niedermeier which saw Modeste to step up and put his side ahead from the spot, finding the bottom corner from 12-yards.
Köln continued to try their luck down the right flank, and it almost paid off yet again as Dominic Maroh met Risse’s cross in the air, but the Slovenian failed to keep his header down. On the half-hour mark, Modeste almost extended Köln’s lead after an inch-perfect pass found the Frenchman, who was unable to control the ball, allowing Przemysław Tytoń to clear.
Despite Köln getting joy down the right, it was Olkowski’s loose pass which failed to find Risse. Kostić intercepted the ball, before taking the ball on the outside of the Köln right-back. The Serbian’s cross forced a point-blank save from Horn, who could only push the ball into the path of Didavi, who had the easiest of jobs to roll the ball into an empty net.
Lukas Rupp almost put the visitors in the lead, but a last ditch block from Maroh prevented from the former Borussia Mönchengladbach player from finding the net, as both teams went into the break all square.
It took Stuttgart just six minutes into the second-half to find the net. Kostić floated in a corner, which was met by the head of Werner, who guided the ball past Horn in front of the travelling support.
Köln almost replied instantly. Simon Zoller replaced Olkowski, and his first contribution almost led to Yuya Osako finding the top corner from just outside the area, but the Japanese international was unable to keep his effort down.
It's all downhill from here for the Billy Goats
With every passing minute, Stuttgart and Kostić were growing in confidence. The Stuttgart midfielder got the better of the Köln defence on a number of occasions, forcing Horn into numerous saves as Stöger brought on Mladenović for his debut.
The Serbian looked a threat down the left, providing a cross to the near post for Modeste, but the in-form striker was unable to find the target with a looping header, as Köln went in search for that all important equaliser.
Gentner almost inflicted more pain on Köln, curling the ball from distance only to be met with an outstanding save from Horn as the game came to a close. Fans of the home side started to head for the exits as the captain finally got his goal with his fifth attempt of the match, eight mintues from time.
Köln face a trip to Champions League side Wolfsburg on Sunday afternoon whilst Stuttgart entertain Hamburger SV on Saturday, as they look to build on their victory in Köln.