Cologne 1–2 Bayer Leverkusen
A brace from Patrick Schick propelled the Aspirin team into fifth place, moving ahead of Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga standings.
Bayer Leverkusen booked their spot in the Champions League places after a hard-fought 1–2 victory over Cologne at the Rhein Energie Stadion.
Patrick Schick was the hero, scoring twice to give his side the lead, but a late strike from Luca Waldschmidt in the 77th minute added tension to the final moments. Grimaldo and Aleix García both started, with the latter providing a brilliant through ball to Poku for the pre-assist on the second goal.
The first half was closely contested, and Cologne could have taken the lead when Said El Mala squandered a golden opportunity, firing against the post with an open net at his mercy.
Leverkusen broke the deadlock shortly afterward when Eric Martel handled the ball inside the area, allowing Patrick Schick to convert from the penalty spot. In the second half, Said El Mala again struck the ball against Blaswich, and from the resulting counterattack, the Czech striker netted his second. Quansah launched the move from his own half, feeding Aleix, who measured a precise pass to Poku. The Dutchman raced forward and found Schick in a central position, who fired home first time.
Cologne pulled one back through Luca Waldschmidt, and the game could have turned if Tapsoba hadn’t cleared a goal-bound effort off the line. Bayer Leverkusen now sit in a Champions League spot, pending Hoffenheim’s result.