Marcel Halstenberg's suspension ensured a return for Angelino, while Tyler Adams dropped to the bench for third-place Leipzig who looked to return to winning ways after drawing at Hertha Berlin.
However, Cologne drew first blood in the seventh minute through Jhon Cordoba who happened to be at the right place and time to stab home a rebound off the post.
Another opportunity came for Cordoba seven minutes later following poor defensive work but unlike the first time, the Colombian failed to beat Leipzig shot-stopper Peter Gulacsi.
While Cordoba limped off following a heavy collision, Leipzig utilised their numerical advantage to grab the equaliser as Patrik Schick headed home Angelino's ball on 20 minutes.
The scorer of the first goal was sadly unable to continue after six minutes and with that made way for the introduction of Anthony Modeste.
Leipzig were ahead seven minutes to halftime after Christopher Nkunku showed great composure to turn home a ball through the middle from Konrad Laimer.
Timo Werner gave the visitors a third with after running onto a route one delivery from Gulacsi to get the better of Timo Horn five minutes after the break.
A scoring feast ensued five minutes later as Modeste found possession on the edge of the area to nestle the right-hand corner after opening space for a shot.
Leipzig responded within two minutes after Daniel Olmo capitalised on poor defending from a corner to curl beyond the reach of Horn for his first league goal.
Werner was close to a brace in the final minutes while Cologne refused to throw in the towel with a few openings, but in the end Leipzig claimed victory to go third.