Cologne’s Said El Mala explains ‘payback’ goal celebration in Bundesliga derby

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Cologne matchwinner Said El Mala has explained the provocative goal celebration that followed his decisive strike in Sunday’s 2-1 Bundesliga victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach. The 20-year-old German international admitted that his gestures towards the visiting supporters were a response to Gladbach celebrating their earlier equaliser in front of the Cologne faithful.

The emotional significance of the moment extended well beyond the Rhein-Derby rivalry. El Mala spent part of his youth career at Gladbach before being released by the club, a setback that makes his subsequent rise to the German national team all the more remarkable.

Sunday’s winning goal came midway through the second half, when El Mala cut inside from the left and unleashed a superb right-footed finish from approximately 18 metres. It was precisely the sort of individual effort that has made the youngster one of Germany’s most exciting attacking talents.

Said El Mala: “That was a little payback”

Gladbach had cancelled out Isak Johannesson’s 26th-minute opener through Joe Scally in the 39th minute. El Mala subsequently took exception to the manner in which the visiting players celebrated their equaliser.

“I saw a Gladbach player celebrating in front of our supporters,” El Mala explained while speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the match. “That’s simply not acceptable. That was a little payback for it, because you don’t do that in front of our fans. It’s not appropriate.”

The youngster also revelled in the response he received from the Cologne supporters.

“It was unbelievable how they were all shouting at me,” El Mala said. “It was simply fantastic. That’s why you play football.”

El Mala’s goal celebration carried an additional message, with the 20-year-old repeatedly raising three fingers before gesturing towards his pocket. The gesture signalled that all three points would remain in Köln.

From Gladbach rejection to Rhein-Derby hero

The personal significance of El Mala’s achievement becomes clearer when considering his complicated history with Borussia Mönchengladbach. As detailed in Get German Football News’ November 2025 feature tracing El Mala’s journey from ‘Ruhrpott Reject’ to German international, the winger was released from Gladbach’s academy in 2021 alongside his older brother Malek.

The club’s youth scouts reportedly considered Said too small and physically slight to develop into a professional footballer. After leaving Gladbach, the brothers continued their development at TSV Meerbusch before earning an opportunity with Viktoria Köln. Said subsequently impressed in the 3. Liga, attracting the attention of the city’s biggest club and eventually establishing himself in the Bundesliga.

The decision to release the youngster had already become a talking point ahead of last November’s Rhein-Derby. Then-Gladbach head coach Eugen Polanski was asked about El Mala’s rejection, having served on the club’s developmental coaching staff around the time the brothers departed. Polanski, who had not directly coached El Mala’s U17 side before his release, defended the uncertainty inherent in assessing young footballers.

“Who could have promised him at the time that he would be a Bundesliga professional?” Polanski asked. “No one. I’m not one to say we missed out on something. We have the exact same situation with Jens Castrop on the other side. In football it will always be the case that you can’t promise a 15-year-old that he will become a Bundesliga pro. And, hopefully, no one does.”

Derby winner brings welcome relief

The goal was particularly satisfying for El Mala following a frustrating spell in front of goal.

“I’ve had a bit of shit on my boot these past few weeks,” the youngster admitted in his post-match remarks. “It was a huge relief. A weight was lifted off my shoulders. I could have gone home with a hat-trick if I’d been more clinical. What distinguishes me is that I don’t bury my head in the sand. I keep going.”

For Köln, the victory provided a much-needed result following a difficult opening month under head coach René Wagner. The Geißböcke now turn their attention to Friday evening’s Bundesliga trip to Eintracht Frankfurt.

GGFN | Peter Weis