Leverkusen seeks composure ahead of derby after poor run

Bayer Leverkusen faces internal criticism after a third loss in four games, with the club seeking stability ahead of Sunday's derby against 1. FC Köln.

Bayer Leverkusen is in a crisis of form and searching for the right mentality ahead of Sunday's Rhine derby. The 0-1 home defeat to Olympique Marseille on Thursday marked a third loss in their last four competitive matches.

The team coached by Carles Martínez sits sixth in the Bundesliga table with 13 points from eight games. This recent run of two consecutive defeats is weighing on the squad's mood. Sporting director Simon Rolfes responded after the match with a factual analysis, opting for a diplomatic tone rather than open criticism.

Andrich voices concern

Former captain Robert Andrich broke ranks to express concern about the team's direction. "I believe something is simmering inside him," said Andrich, referring to a teammate he felt gave up too early in a play. Christian Löer, sports editor at Kölner Stadtanzeiger, found this openness refreshing after the loss. The internal uncertainty was also highlighted by Bayer reporter Patrick Scherer, who had believed in success two weeks ago but now voiced doubts.

Scherer initially described Rolfes' stance: "It seemed to us a bit as if he was undecided about which path he wanted to take now." Head coach Carles Martínez was approached about the criticism but declined to discuss it. The team must now quickly find a way out of this negative spiral. Recent results paint a clear picture: a 2-1 win over Freiburg was followed by a 3-0 loss in Hoffenheim, a 5-2 victory against Nürnberg, a 4-2 home defeat to Stuttgart, and now the 1-0 loss to Marseille.

Focus shifts to derby

The perfect opportunity for a response comes with Sunday's away match at 1. FC Köln. The 14th-placed side offers the chance to spark a turnaround with a derby win and keep pace with the leading group. Leverkusen currently trail leaders Bayern Munich by five points. Top scorer Patrik Schick, who has seven goals this season, will need to play a central role. The full schedule of upcoming challenges is available on the fixtures page.

Preparation for the clash at the Rhein-Energie-Stadion is already in full swing. Die Werkself must prove they can put internal discussions behind them and deliver a unified team performance on the pitch. The match in Cologne kicks off at 15:30 on Sunday.