Maina came off the bench before providing the assist that helped Koln restore parity against Stuttgart, giving them a crucial Bundesliga point on Saturday evening.
Kenyan winger Linton Maina came off the bench and played a key part in helping FC Koln grab a crucial point against European football-hungry VfB Stuttgart on Saturday evening.
Maina had been making appearances off the bench in recent games before his latest introduction saw him finally impact the game in a positive way, registering his second assist of the season in the process.
The Kenyan prospect has now made three goal contributions in the Bundesliga this season, way shy of the three goals and seven assists he registered last season.
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VfB Stuttgart, under Sebastian Hoeneß, maintained their unbeaten run in the league but, failing to extend their winning streak to five consecutive victories.
Despite the draw, Timo Schultz's Köln side couldn't secure a significant gap from the automatic relegation spot, holding only a two-point lead over FSV Mainz 05.
Injuries and suspensions forced three changes to Hoeneß's lineup, with Enzo Millot and Anthony Rouault starting for the absent players.
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Despite the absence of key players, Stuttgart remained solid. Köln, missing Timo Hübers due to illness, made adjustments, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
The first half saw limited scoring chances, with both teams struggling to break the deadlock. Stuttgart came alive in the second half, with Millot scoring in the 53rd minute.
However, Köln responded swiftly, with Eric Martel equalizing in the 63rd minute after a series of corner clearances from Stuttgart resulted in Maina providing a crucial assist.
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Both teams made substitutions to find a winning goal, but solid defending and key saves from the goalkeepers kept the score level.
Millot had a chance for a brace but was denied by a brilliant save from Köln's Marvin Schwäbe. The match concluded in a 1-1 draw, with both teams showcasing resilience in defense.