1. FC Köln's 1st Half is Over in a Clean Sheet with BORussia Dortmund's 3-0 Victory

# FC Köln's First Half Ends in a Clean Sheet as Borussia Dortmund Wins 3-0

The first half of FC Köln's match against Borussia Dortmund ended with a clean sheet for the hosts, despite trailing 3-0 at halftime. The match, which is part of the highly anticipated Bundesliga clash between two fierce rivals, saw Dortmund dominate from the start.

### Borussia Dortmund Takes Control Early

Dortmund struck early in the 13th minute through a well-taken goal, with Ruud de Moortele heading in from a corner kick. The visitors continued to press and doubled their lead just five minutes later when De Moortele converted another chance, this time from a cross by Jonas Hector. By the 30th minute, Dortmund had their third goal, with De Moortele completing his hat-trick, thanks to a clinical finish in the box.

### FC Köln's Defense Holds Strong

Despite being outclassed in the first half, FC Köln's defense stood firm, preventing Dortmund from extending their lead further. The hosts created a few chances, but they struggled to break down a well-organized Dortmund defense. The clean sheet was a rare highlight for Köln's backline, which has been criticized in recent matches.

### Reaction from Both Sides

After the halftime interval, Köln's manager, Steffen Baumgart, emphasized the need for improvement in the second half. "We need to learn from this," Baumgart said. "Defensively, we have to be better, and offensively, we have to create more chances." Meanwhile, Dortmund's head coach, Marco Rose, praised his team's performance. "We played well and capitalized on our chances," Rose said. "FC Köln is a strong team, and we know it's going to be a tough game in the second half."

### Implications for the Rest of the Season

Dortmund's strong start to the season continues to build momentum, with this win moving them closer to the top of the table. Meanwhile, FC Köln's performance, despite the loss, shows that they remain a competitive force in German football. The clean sheet gives the hosts something to build on, especially with the second half still to play.

### Conclusion

The first half of this match was dominated by Borussia Dortmund, who took full advantage of their chances. However, FC Köln's resilience and defensive effort ensure that the game remains tightly contested. With the second half still to come, fans can expect more drama as both teams seek to turn the tide in their favor.