Cologne holds Hoffenheim to a draw

Hoffenheim missed a chance to move into second place in the Bundesliga standings by being held to a 1-1 draw Friday at Cologne.

Cologne had not scored a goal in its last two games but dominated play in the first half, with Lukas Podolski giving the host the lead in the 17th minute.

Cologne nearly doubled its advantage 10 minutes later when Mato Jajalo's cross was deflected off Hoffenheim defender Josip Simunic against the left post. But the visitors recovered in the second half, and Demba Ba equalized in the 54th minute.

The guests controlled play the rest of the way, but could not find a way through the Cologne back line.

"We made too many mistakes and lost too many balls in the first half," Hoffenheim captain Andreas Beck said. "We played better in the second half and have to be happy to be taking home at least one point."

Cologne midfielder Adam Matschyk wasn't as pleased.

"We lost two points today," Matschyk said. "We probably played our best half of the season in the first half. But unfortunately it didn't last for a full 90 minutes."

Hoffenheim has 11 points for third place after six rounds while Cologne has five points in 13th place ahead of the weekend games.