'Emotional' Werner scores for Leipzig on Bundesliga return

BERLIN: Former Chelsea striker Timo Werner found the back of the net on an emotional return to Leipzig but it was not enough to secure their first win of the season as Cologne snatched a 2-2 draw on Saturday (Aug 13).

Leipzig played the majority of the game with 10 men, after Hungary midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai received a straight red card for an elbow to the throat of Cologne's Florian Kainz just before half time.

Werner left Leipzig for London in 2020 before returning earlier this week in a £25 million (US$30.2 million) deal.

Leipzig's record goal-scorer put his side ahead in the 36th minute, when goalkeeper Marvin Schwaebe let Werner's long-distance strike dip under his body and trickle across the line.

Cologne equalised just four minutes later however, when striker Florian Dietz dinked in from close range to chalk up his first ever Bundesliga goal.

French forward Christopher Nkunku gave the home side the lead in the 56th minute, but Cologne were able to equalise with 20 minutes to go through a clumsy own goal from Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol.

After the game, Werner - who was subbed off to warm applause in the 68th minute - said he was "very emotional" to return.

"It was something special for me, to return after two years."

"Leipzig is always a part of me. I grew up here and I got my first Germany call up here".

The 26-year-old, however, was less enamoured of the result which means Leipzig have drawn their opening two matches.

"When you see how we've lost points this season, it's really bitter.

"Considering we were playing with a man down for so long, 2-2 is acceptable, but for our aims (this season), it's far from satisfactory," he said.

In Saturday's late game, Schalke secured a last-minute 2-2 draw with Borussia