Said El Mala’s older brother scores on his debut – his brother shares in his joy.
Malek El Mala proudly held the ‘Man of the Match’ trophy aloft – but after his dream debut, the 21-year-old wasn’t quite sure how to process his emotions. “I can’t quite take it all in yet, but it feels incredible – especially being on the pitch alongside my brother. That means the world to me,” said 1. FC Köln’s hero after the 1–1 (0–1) draw at Union Berlin.
Malek El Mala had come on as a substitute for Linton Maina (72’) at the Alte Försterei with the score at 0–1 to Union’s advantage; he immediately capped off his Bundesliga debut seven minutes later with his first goal – and immediately looked round for his younger brother. “I turned round and saw that everyone was running towards me,” said Malek: “I was looking for my brother, but he was still a bit further away.”
Said, who had played a part in setting up the goal with a deflected cross, had initially run over to the bench. A short while later, however, the brothers ran towards each other; the subsequent “chest bump” had not been planned. “It was completely spontaneous. He just sort of patted his chest, like a madman,” said Said. Malek promptly replied to the journalists in the stadium’s concourse: “Exactly, just have a look at the video.” Since then, he’s had “a bit of chest pain”, Said explained jokingly, “but it’ll go away.”
In any case, the international was immensely proud of his older brother. “It feels as though it was my goal, somehow. Even though it was his goal,” said Said: “Our parents are happy, the club is happy. I’m looking forward to the next few matches with him.”
Five days after the 5–0 thrashing in the second round of the DFB Cup against Köpenick, Malek El Mala saved Cologne from a setback with his debut goal. However, with nine points to their name, it is still too early to breathe a sigh of relief in the lower half of the table.