Leverkusen Win Rhine Derby 2-1 at Cologne

Overview

• Bayer Leverkusen beat FC Köln 2-1 in the Rhine derby on Sunday, November 8, claiming a tense away win at the RheinEnergieStadion.
• Aleix García opened the scoring with a curled free‑kick from just outside the area on about seven minutes that beat keeper Marvin Schwäbe.
• Patrik Schick had an effort ruled out for handball before scoring a late counterattack goal to seal the win and extend his hot run to eight goals in nine league games.
• The derby was physically charged and heavily carded, producing 11 yellow cards in total with Cologne receiving six of them.
• The result lifts Leverkusen to fifth in the Bundesliga and gives the club momentum after recent domestic defeats and a Europa League loss, while Cologne remain 15th, one clear of the relegation playoff place.