German Bundesliga report: Cologne v Paderborn

Paderborn stalled their slide towards the bottom three of the Bundesliga as they picked up a point from their trip to Cologne on Saturday.

In a game of few chances, there were no goals as Cologne were held to a goalless draw at home for the fifth time this season, and their second in three days.

The result keeps Cologne in mid-table, but Paderborn are now on the brink of the bottom three.

Paderborn coach Andre Breitenreiter responded to his side's dismal start to the year by making three changes to his side, giving Alban Meha his first start of the new year, while Bard Finne was handed his first start for Cologne.

Cologne had already drawn 0-0 four times at home this season and many were predicting another goalless draw, and it was living up to its pre-match billing for much of the first half.

The battle was being played out mainly in the centre of the field with both goalkeepers spending most of the time spectating.

Cologne wasted the best chance of the half just before the interval when Finne found himself with only Lukas Kruse to beat, but he tried to thread the ball through the Paderborn goalkeeper's legs and failed.

Kevin Vogt had a good chance to break the deadlock in the 68th minute, but his lob over Kruse also cleared the crossbar.

Paderborn then started to play their part in the game, abandoning their defensive approach and starting to take a few more gambles.

That led to an open game, although goals were still lacking and, ultimately, none were to come either.

Kruse ensured his side picked up a precious point by making a save from Kazuki Nagasawa late on as the game lived up to all the pre-match predictions.