Leverkusen under pressure ahead of Cologne derby after three defeats

Following three defeats in their last four Bundesliga games and a setback against Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen face a derby in Cologne six points adrift of the Champions League places.

Bayer Leverkusen are under significant pressure heading into the neighbourhood derby at 1. FC Cologne. Die Werkself have lost three of their last four Bundesliga matches, slipping to sixth place in the table with 13 points from eight games, a record of four wins, one draw and three losses.

The team managed by Carles Martinez also suffered a 0:1 defeat to Olympique Marseille in the Europa League on Thursday. This run of setbacks threatens their Champions League ambitions. Leverkusen have already conceded 16 goals this season, a tally last exceeded in the 1982/83 campaign when they let in 21. They have scored 18, giving them a goal difference of +2.

Rolfes sees pressure as the norm

Managing director Simon Rolfes stressed on Friday that expectation pressure is part of the job. "Pressure? There's always pressure," said Rolfes. "If you want to compete at the top of the Bundesliga, you always have pressure to win." The team currently sits sixth with 13 points from eight games and a goal difference of +2, five points behind leaders Bayern Munich. They are six points off fourth place, making the situation tense ahead of matchday eight.

Martinez promises maximum effort

Coach Carles Martinez described Sunday's match (15:30) as essential. "Very important for the fans and for us," said the Spaniard. He promised the team would give their all for the 5,000 travelling supporters. They face a Cologne side sitting 13th in the table this Sunday, 8 November, which presents a particular challenge at the RheinEnergieSTADION. The next fixture for Leverkusen is a home match against SC Freiburg on 23 November.

Andrich voices internal criticism

Following the loss to Marseille, midfielder Robert Andrich publicly criticised the defensive performance of his teammate Aleix Garcia. This internal dispute highlights the tense mood within the squad. Given their recent form, with back-to-back league defeats against Leipzig and Frankfurt and a recent run of two losses and three wins in their last five, a response in the derby is imperative.

Top scorer Patrik Schick, who has netted seven goals in eight appearances this season, will need to play a key role in attack. Die Werkself must demonstrate at the RheinEnergieSTADION on matchday eight that the crisis is over. The derby on 8 November is about more than just three points for Leverkusen; it is about getting back on track before the international break.