**FC Köln Defeats VfL Bochum, Modeste's Late Strike Secures Relegation Points**
FC Köln edged out VfL Bochum in a thrilling encounter on Saturday, securing a vital 2-1 victory that keeps their hopes of avoiding relegation alive. The match was a tense affair, with both sides creating chances, but it was Köln who ultimately emerged victorious thanks to a late strike from Kevin Modeste.
The game started at a steady pace, with both teams looking to dominate possession. Bochum had the first meaningful chance in the 15th minute when Maximilian Eggeston fired a powerful shot from outside the box, forcing a diving save from Köln's goalkeeper. The visitors responded well and took the lead in the 35th minute when Anthony Modeste, brother of the goal-scorer, finished a clinical counter-attack by slotting the ball into the bottom-left corner.
Bochum, however, refused to back down and leveled the score in the 60th minute. A well-executed free-kick from Eggeston found its way into the net, leaving the Köln defense exposed. Despite the setback, Köln showed great resilience and responded just when they needed to. In the 88th minute, Modeste, who had been a constant threat, capped his impressive performance with a stunning strike from 25 yards out, finding the top-left corner and sending the home crowd into raptures.
While the result means Köln moves to 13th place in the table, the victory is more significant for the club as it extends their unbeaten run in the league to four games. For Bochum, who dropped to 15th, the defeat is a blow in their bid to avoid relegation. Both teams now have crucial matches coming up, but for Köln, the momentum gained from this win could be key in their fight to stay in the Bundesliga.
In a match where both sides demonstrated their attacking prowess, Modeste's late heroics will be remembered as the highlight of the game. This victory keeps the hopes alive for both Köln and Bochum, but for Köln, it’s a much-needed confidence boost as they aim to secure their Bundesliga status for another season.