Bayer Leverkusen 2 - 0 FT 1. FC Köln

Leverkusen's Rhineland Reckoning: Cologne Dismantled at BayArena

Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 47/100. This wasn't a match—it was a masterclass in dominance: Bayer Leverkusen dismantled 1. FC Cologne 2-0 in a one-sided Rhineland Derby that exposed the gulf between fourth and ninth place.

Relentless Siege Breaks Cologne's Resistance

From the opening whistle, Leverkusen suffocated Cologne with surgical precision. Sixty-two percent possession translated into a suffocating intensity (4.7) that left Cologne gasping. Seventeen shots to four—a shot ratio that told the entire story. Marvin Schwäbe became Cologne's sole barrier against humiliation, making five saves with the desperation of a goalkeeper fighting a losing battle. Yet Leverkusen's clinical finishing was merely delayed, not denied.

Terrier's Impact, Andrich's Coup de Grâce

The breakthrough arrived in the 66th minute: substitute Moussa Terrier struck just four minutes after entering the pitch, converting Arthur's pass with ice-cold composure for 1-0. The super sub had arrived. Six minutes later, Robert Andrich sealed the derby with a header, assisted by Aleix García, who orchestrated two key passes throughout. The balance of the match (2.2) never existed; Cologne couldn't escape the defensive lethargy reflected in their form: LDDLL across five games.

Set-Piece Pressure and Derby Stakes

Eleven corners for Leverkusen, three for Cologne—the stakes of a Rhineland Derby (8.0 in Futmetrix) manifested in relentless set-piece pressure. Yet Leverkusen scarcely needed the dead-ball opportunities. Their chance creation was so overwhelming that Cologne merely defended. With an xG of 1.71 versus 0.17, this was no tight contest—it was a statement of class and intent.

The Verdict

For Leverkusen (26 points, fourth place), a six-pointer secured. For Cologne (16 points, ninth), another defeat in a sequence that demands urgent answers. The Rhineland Derby is settled—and so, it seems, is the season's narrative.

Maza Lights Up the Derby—Leverkusen Ready to Dismantle Cologne

Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 78/100. The Rhineland Derby transcends local pride: Leverkusen must win to stay in the title conversation, while Cologne desperately needs points to escape the relegation scrap.

The Setup

Form tells a stark story: Leverkusen claimed just two wins from their last five, while Cologne are mired in inconsistency—two losses sandwiched between draws. Yet the Balance favours the hosts. Leverkusen possess world-class infrastructure with Edmond Tapsoba anchoring the backline and Patrik Schick leading the attack. Cologne, however, have unearthed goal-scorers in Luca Waldschmidt and Said El Mala, both recently on target. The Stakes are unmistakably high—a proper derby with genuine local bragging rights.

Key Battle

Ibrahim Maza versus Florian Kainz controls the tempo. Maza's clinical edge (2 goals, 1 assist across four matches) collides with Kainz's creative distribution. Wing dominance decides the derby.

Our Prediction

Leverkusen absorb Cologne's early press, then strike on the counter via wide channels. Marvin Schwäbe keeps Cologne competitive, but Maza's form and Tapsoba's defensive solidity prove decisive. Leverkusen 2-1—a derby victory with genuine tension.