Cologne Said El Mala's payback celebration ignites Bundesliga derby

Cologne's 2‑1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday gave the Geißböcke a vital three points and eased the pressure on head coach René Wagner after a difficult opening month in the Bundesliga. The triumph was sealed by Cologne Said El Mala, the 20‑year‑old German international.

El Mala's decisive strike arrived midway through the second half. Cutting inside from the left, he unleashed a right‑footed finish from roughly 18 metres that curled past the goalkeeper. The goal restored Cologne's lead after Gladbach had levelled earlier.

Celebration sparked by Gladbach equaliser

Borussia Mönchengladbach had equalised when Joe Scally celebrated in front of the Cologne faithful after cancelling Isak Johannesson's 26th‑minute opener. El Mala said he saw a Gladbach player celebrating in front of their supporters and found it unacceptable. “That was a little payback,” he told reporters, adding that such gestures should not be directed at home fans.

The Cologne crowd erupted, shouting at him as he performed the celebration. El Mala repeatedly raised three fingers and pointed to his pocket, signalling that all three points would stay in Köln. He called the response “unbelievable” and “simply fantastic”, saying it reminded him why he plays football.

Saïd El Mala sparks Cologne's derby surge against Borussia Mönchengladbach

From rejected academy prospect to derby hero

The winger spent part of his youth at Borussia Mönchengladbach before being released in 2021 alongside his older brother Malek. Scouts deemed him too small and physically slight to progress, prompting the brothers to join TSV Meerbusch before moving to Viktoria Köln and eventually earning a place at Cologne.

Then‑Gladbach head coach Eugen Polanski, who oversaw the club’s development staff at the time, later reflected that no one could guarantee a 15‑year‑old would become a Bundesliga professional. “Who could have promised him at the time that he would be a Bundesliga professional? No one,” Polanski said, adding that the club also missed out on Jens Castrop.

El Mala admitted he had “a bit of shit on my boot these past few weeks”, describing the goal as a huge relief that lifted a weight from his shoulders. He joked that a more clinical finish could have seen him go home with a hat‑trick, and stressed he never buries his head in the sand, choosing instead to keep going.

Saïd El Mala 'fired up' after leading Cologne to Rhine derby victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach

Cologne look ahead to Frankfurt

The victory provides Cologne with momentum as they travel to Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday evening for their next Bundesliga fixture. Wagner will hope the win sustains the team’s confidence after a challenging start to the season.