Bayer Leverkusen frittered away a 2:0 in the derby in Cologne. The Werkself convinced before the break with merciless counter-attacking strength, but acted far too passively after the break and conceded the receipt for it. Cologne’s hero of the day: Modeste!
Cologne coach Steffen Baumgart, who recently won the football slogan of the year award, was able to call on a recovered Hector compared to the 5-0 defeat in Hoffenheim. The captain was also new in the starting eleven, as were Kilian, Ljubicic and Duda. Jorge Meré, Ehizibue, Thielmann and Andersson were on the bench.
Bayers coach Gerardo Seoane, meanwhile, made three changes after the 1-1 draw with Real Betis in the Europa League: Wirtz, who was once trained in Cologne’s youth, as well as Kossounou and Schick replaced Tapsoba, Adli and Alario (all on the bench).
Cologne’s expensive mistakes
1. FC Köln did not get off to a good start. The Geißböcke showed some effort, but ultimately proved to be clueless offensively. Until the final third, the Cathedral City team’s play was not unsightly, but they did not really create any chances worth mentioning – the final pass proved to be the biggest obstacle. The only noteworthy goals of the hosts in the first half were a long shot (33) and a header by Hector (44).
It was a completely different story for the Werksklub, who mercilessly exploited their immense counter-attacking strength from a stable cover and had already taken a comfortable lead early on: Within two minutes, Leverkusen had exploited Cologne’s insecurities for two goals, first Schick scored after a too risky Modeste pass (15th), then Bellarabi after a wooden defensive action by Czichos against Andrich (17th). The visitors’ lead could have been even higher had Frimpong not just hit the crossbar (25.).
Early exit for Bellarabi
For Bayer, however, not everything went like clockwork. Although everything was basically fine from a sporting point of view, partly because Cologne were largely harmless, Bellarabi was injured early on and had to be substituted before the half-time whistle (37th, Adli). This did not change the 2:0 lead at the break.
Seoane brought on Bakker for Hincapie in the second half, probably also because the Cologne team had repeatedly had a few free spaces on the left side of Leverkusen.
In the second half, Bayer restricted themselves even more to the defensive, stood solidly, made occasional pinpricks through Schick (57th) and Wirtz (62nd) and still managed to score the second goal: Because Uth and Kainz followed up well and Tah misjudged Hector’s cross, the ball landed at the right post with Modeste – 1:2 (63rd).
Bayers passivity is punished – Schick injured
Even though the connection had been preceded by an opponent’s mistake, it had also been a bit in the offing – and was not undeserved. Bayer played too passively, relied too much on administration and were punished for playing their counter-attacking chances too awkwardly. There was no sign of the merciless efficiency of the first half.
And it got even worse for the Werkself, because in the 82nd minute, substitute Andersson extended a throw-in with his head to Modeste, who then beat Kossounou and nodded in the much-celebrated 2:2 equaliser. That was also the final score, which the Geißböcke could certainly live with considering the course of the game, especially since they are still unbeaten at home this season. To make matters worse for Bayer, Schick was injured and had to be substituted shortly before the end of the game (86th minute).
Both teams have to play in the cup again next Wednesday: Cologne will be playing in Stuttgart (20.45), Leverkusen will be playing against second division Karlsruhe (18.30).