Cologne could have done with this former Arsenal star in his prime in home defeat

By Alessandro Schiavone in Cologne

1.FC Köln 0-1 Union Berlin

Goal: Schafer 91'

Lukas Podolski in his prime leading the line would have suited Cologne to the ground on Saturday afternoon in their 1-0 home defeat to Union Berlin at RheinEnergie Stadion.

Jakub Kaminski put in an energetic first-half display for his lukewarm side and twice came close to an opening goal. Yet his first attempt was comfortably parried by Frederik Ronnow while the volley flashed just off target.

Momentum changed and the capital club had the best chances of a dull second period. But Querfeld's free header from a corner was helped on to the post by goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe. And Sami's brother Rani Khedira had a net-bound shot blocked late on.

Winning would have meant a great deal to Podolski's ex club in their bid to increase the gap on the relegation places and keep any potential hopes of European football alive.

Yet it wasn't to be. And despite turning 40 last summer "Poldi", who plies his tride at Polish Ekstraklasa club Gornik Zabrze these days and was known for his explosive left foot and clinical finishing, will undoubtedly have felt that he could still have swung the pendulum Cologne's way had one of Kaminsky's two chances fallen in his lap. Instead it's Andra Schäfer who turned into 2006 Podolski to win it for his side late on.