SV Hamburg battled to a credible 0-0 draw at Borussia Mönchengladbach while Cologne stole a late 1-0 victory at 10-man Mainz in a good Bundesliga start for the promoted duo on Sunday.
Former European champions Hamburg had spent seven years in the second division since a first-ever drop in 2018, which they suffered despite a 2-1 win over Gladbach on the final matchday.
Gladbach were now also their first oppponents, and Hamburg were firm in defence after a poor pre-season with five straight defeats. They almost claimed an 89th-minute winner, but William Mikkelbrencis was offside before heading in.
Cologne meanwhile left it even later in Mainz as Marius Bülter nodded a 90th minute winner after the hosts had Paul Nebel sent off on the hour.
The games completed matchday one where champions Bayern Munich were the first and familiar leaders from a 6-0 thrashing of RB Leipzig.
Hamburg withstand Gladbach
In Mönchengladbach, Ransford Königsdorffer threatened early for Hamburg but the hosts soon gained control, with Haris Tabakovic heading wide twice and a shot from Franck Honorat saved by goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes.
The keeper was also on his guard against Rocco Reitz in the 64th before Hamburg made their presence felt again from Alexander Rössing-Lelesiit and Jean-Luc Dompe, who blazed over shortly after coming on in the 74th.
Hamburg were now in command and the ball was in the net when Mikkelbrencis headed in at the far post off Dompe's cross nodded on by newly signed captain Yussuf Poulsen, but the substitute was clearly offside.
"The pre-season wasn't ideal but everyone could see today that we are accepting the challenge. We wanted to be compact as a team and almost got a lucky punch," Heuer Fernandes told streaming portal DAZN.
Late winner in Mainz after drama
The biggest drama in Mainz before the late goal came on the hour when Mainz screamed in vain for a penalty as Anthony Caci fell under a challenge from Tom Krauss, and Nebel was sent off seconds later on Cologne's immediate counterattack for a last-man foul on Jakub Kaminski.
Mainz had chances to win it despite being one man down before the knock-out blow. Nelson Weiper, back from first team suspension over a contract renewal dispute, was denied by goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe, and Silvan Widmer was blocked twice.
But Cologne won it at the death when Bülter was completely unmarked in the 90th minute for a glancing header off Luca Waldschmidt's cross into the bottom left corner.
"The whole 90 minutes were wild. It wasn't exactly a treat for the football fan," Kwasniok said after his personal top flight debut and Cologne's seventh promotion.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
