COLOGNE (dpa-AFX) - Borussia Dortmund secured a routine victory against a depleted 1. FC Cologne side, increasing the pressure on FC coach Lukas Kwasniok. Playing against a Cologne team reduced to ten men for an entire half, BVB triumphed 2-1 (1-0). Serhou Guirassy (16th minute) and Maximilian Beier (60th) provided the goals for the second-placed side against the relegation-threatened Bundesliga newcomers. For the Rhinelanders, Jamai Simpson-Pusey saw red (45th+2) for a heavy foul in first-half stoppage time. Cologne fought back, however, and managed a late consolation goal through Jakub Kaminski (88th).

The victory allows Dortmund to maintain their six-point lead over third-placed Hoffenheim. For Cologne, the situation is becoming increasingly precarious following their fifth consecutive winless match. Their two-point cushion over the relegation zone could be completely erased by Sunday. Points are now essential in the upcoming matches against direct rivals Hamburger SV and the derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach – likely also to save Kwasniok's job.

Following the recent disappointing 0-2 defeat against FC Augsburg, the Cologne hierarchy had publicly backed the coach. Nevertheless, reports of an alleged ultimatum surfaced in the days leading up to the BVB clash, which Kwasniok denied. However, the 44-year-old was well aware that FC desperately needed a win.

Cologne showed commitment

His team indeed started boldly and enjoyed more possession than the second-placed visitors early on. Dortmund appeared to lack intensity following their 2-3 defeat in the top-of-the-table clash against FC Bayern, which effectively ended their title hopes. BVB seemed to labor through the match rather than enjoy it. While Cologne dictated the play, it was Dortmund who took the lead.

It was former FC striker Guirassy who exploited a collective lapse in the Cologne defense. Following a corner, Maximilian Beier looped the ball back into the Cologne penalty area, where Guirassy reacted quickest, using the sole of his boot to poke the ball past FC keeper Marvin Schwäbe. It was the striker's twelfth goal of the season and his seventh since the winter break.

Due to the fasting month of Ramadan, Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac had left Muslim players Guirassy and Ramy Bensebaini out of the starting lineup against Bayern. In Cologne, however, both were returned to the starting eleven.

Nasty challenge from Simpson-Pusey leads to dismissal

After taking the lead, the Westphalians gradually took control of the game without ever truly shining. Cologne then hindered their own cause in first-half stoppage time. Winter signing Simpson-Pusey caught Beier from behind with a heavy challenge on the Achilles tendon, with no prospect of winning the ball. Referee Daniel Siebert initially showed a yellow card but upgraded it to red after reviewing the video footage, much to the frustration of the home crowd.

Despite being a man down, the Rhinelanders resisted the defeat but lacked a cutting edge. Dortmund did no more than necessary to secure the win. After the hour mark, Beier broke free following a one-two with Julian Brandt and made it 2-0. Kaminski's late goal ensured a tense finish in the final minutes./lap/DP/zb