Bayer Leverkusen secured a 2-1 victory in the Rhine derby at 1. FC Cologne, ending a recent poor run. Aleix Garcia opened the scoring in the seventh minute and Patrik Schick added a second in the 85th, before Saïd El Mala netted a late consolation for the hosts in stoppage time.
The early lead came from a direct free-kick by Garcia. Leverkusen had lost their previous two Bundesliga matches against Hoffenheim and Stuttgart and were also eliminated from the Europa League. The win in Cologne takes the team coached by Carles Martínez to 16 points, temporarily moving them up to fifth place in the standings and back into the chase for European qualification. Their overall record now stands at 13 points from eight games, placing them sixth in the Bundesliga. With 18 goals scored and 16 conceded, the team has a goal difference of plus two.
Chaotic finale with three red cards
The second half was marked by numerous bookings and a chaotic finale. Patrik Schick saw a goal disallowed for handball in the 82nd minute. Stoppage time then brought three red cards. First, Leverkusen's Jonas Hofmann was sent off with a second yellow in the 90+2nd minute. Mere seconds later, in the 90+5th, the already-booked Aleix Garcia was also dismissed for a foul. Cologne's Jahmai Simpson-Pusey received a yellow card in the same minute.
In between, the Cologne brothers El Mala combined for the consolation goal. Malek El Mala, who had been substituted on in the 74th minute, set up his brother Saïd in the 90+2nd minute to slot home for the 1-2 final score. For Cologne, it was a fourth consecutive game without a win, increasing the pressure on coach René Wagner.
Important context for Leverkusen
The derby three points are key for Leverkusen given their recent form. The team sits sixth in the table with 13 points from eight matches. Their last five competitive games have yielded two wins and three defeats. This run includes the Europa League defeat to Marseille and the Bundesliga matches against Stuttgart, Hoffenheim, and now the win in Cologne. The season's top scorer is Patrik Schick with seven goals. The next fixture is against SC Paderborn 07 at the BayArena on Saturday 21 November. Paderborn currently occupies 12th place.
Further reading: Kicker
On Tuesday, the German Football Association confirmed Jonas Hofmann's suspension. The Leverkusen midfielder will miss the next competitive match following his yellow-red card in the derby. The DFB announced the ban. Leverkusen, sixth in the Bundesliga with 13 points, will therefore be without the midfielder for their upcoming match against Paderborn.
On Wednesday, Bayer 04 confirmed the Round of 16 tie in the 2026/27 DFB-Pokal. The club will host RB Leipzig on December 2nd at the BayArena, the club announced. Leverkusen, sitting in sixth place with 13 points, will play the match amid a recent form of two wins and three losses from their last five competitive games.
On Wednesday, the German Football Association confirmed the suspension for Aleix García. The Leverkusen midfielder must serve a one-match ban following his red card in the derby, the DFB announced. This means García will be absent alongside the already suspended Jonas Hofmann for the next competitive match. Leverkusen, sixth in the Bundesliga with 13 points, will thus be without two key players for their upcoming game against Paderborn.
On Tuesday, captain Edmond Tapsoba praised the performance of Jarell Quansah in the derby. "It was one of his best games. I knew he would handle El Mala," said Tapsoba. The defender won four of five direct duels against Cologne's Said El Mala. Leverkusen, which is fifth in the Bundesliga with 16 points, plays its next match on November 21 against Paderborn.
On Tuesday, captain Edmond Tapsoba analyzed the team's recent dip in form. "I lacked intensity in recent weeks, starting with myself," said Tapsoba. He called for a return to their own playing identity. Manager Carles Martínez confirmed the diagnosis and pointed to the strain of nine games in 30 days. The team, fifth in the Bundesliga with 16 points, is now using the international break for recovery.
