Highlights

Full-time
90'

LATE BOOKING

Czichos brings down Alario and is shown Cologne's first yellow of the game.
90'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
86'

BORNAUW FORCES A SAVE!

Schmitz whips in a free-kick from deep which Bornauw meets around 12 yards out, and his header is tipped over his own crossbar by Hradecky. That was only Cologne's second attempt on target of 14 on goal in total.
83'

BAILEY COMES OFF

Leverkusen's two-goal hero comes off for Alario here in the final minutes.
82'

CHANCE FOR SCHICK

Bailey does well to get the ball into Schick with his back to goal in the middle. He turns onto his left, but the shot is blocked behind.
79'

COLOGNE CHANGE

Özcan is on for Skhiri in midfield, who has run his socks off today.
76'

BAILEY BRACE!

It's two for the Jamaican and three for Leverkusen which just about wraps up the points and bragging rights in the Rhine derby. Leverkusen break with Aranguiz finding Demirbay, who in turn played Bailey the ball on the right. He skips past Czichos and then Bornauw, moving into the area and onto his left before slotting the ball into the far bottom corner. A lovely, lovely goal.
76'

Leon Bailey

GOAL!

3:0
Leon Bailey
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
15 %
75'

ONE OF THOSE DAYS FOR COLOGNE...

At this stage of the season, with the Billy Goats still stuck second from bottom, chances being taken rather than squandered is more vital than ever.
Goal attempts
2off target
3on target
9off target
0on target
73'

NEXT CHANGE

Diaby comes off for Leverkusen with job done after a goal and an assist, and he's replaced by Demirbay.
70'

TRIPLE CHANGE

Katterbach, Schmitz and Drexler all come on here for the final 20 minutes.
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INTO THE FINAL 20...

Time is running out for Cologne to make the most of their hard work here and get back into the game. A chance as simple as Diaby's for the second goal would be welcomed by the visitors.
63'

KAINZ OFF THE BAR!

A striker from range from Kainz who smashes a shot at goal from all of 25 yards out. It's straight down the middle and Hradecky would save it if it was on target, but in the end, the ball bounces over off the upright.
61'

CHANCE GOES BEGGING

Diaby leads a four-man break for Leverkusen, but can't make up his mind to pass or shoot as he looks to beat two or three defenders into the Cologne area. The ball comes loose for Bailey, who does earn his side a corner.
59'

SKHIRI DOING HIS JOB

As always, Cologne's Moroccan midfielder is leading the ways for distance covered not only for his side but in the entire game.
Distance run (km)
7.9
8.4
Nadiem Amiri Ellyes Skhiri
57'

NEXT CHANGE

Leverkusen's third substitution sees Sinkgraven replace Wendell at left-back.
54'

AGAINST THE RUN OF PLAY

Leverkusen have had three shots on target and scored twice here, and it would be unfair to say their lead is undeserved, but Cologne will be aggrieved considering the performance they have put in so far.
51'

DIABY DOUBLES THE LEAD!

The combination for the first goal switch roles for the second as Leverkusen double their lead. It's a counter from Cologne's corner, with Bailey sent in behind by a long ball from Aranguiz. He plays it across to Diaby in space, who then cuts inside past Ehizibue's sliding challenge before slotting the ball into an empty net.
51'

Moussa Diaby

GOAL!

2:0
Moussa Diaby
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
77 %
48'

BIG CHANCE FOR HECTOR!

Here come Cologne again as Wolf breaks through the middle before laying Hector in on goal. He's forced onto his right foot by Tah but gets a shot away. It beats Hradecky, but rolls just wide of the post across goal. Cologne beginning the second half as they ended the first.
46'

THREE AT THE BACK

With those half-time changes, Leverkusen now look to be set up with a three-man defence with Tah, S. Bender and Tapsoba.
46'

BACK UNDERWAY!

Two changes at the break for Leverkusen, despite being ahead. Tah and Frimpong come on for Jedvaj and Palacios.
Kick-off!
45'
+ 2

Substitution

Half-time
45'
+ 1

ADDED TIME!

We'll just have one minute of added time at the end of the first half.
41'

CLOSE AGAIN!

The free-kick comes into the middle from Kainz but Wolf can't get his header on target, with Bornauw coming in behind him but unable to get on the end of the cross.
40'

TAPSOBA BOOKED

A first yellow card of the game goes Tapsoba's way for a late foul on Ehizibue.
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COLOGNE'S RESPONSE

Interim head coach Friedhelm Funkel will be delighted with how his side have responded since going behind early on.
36'

HECTOR OFF THE BAR!

What a hit from the captain, who smashes the free-kick at goal after Kainz laid it off to him and it's an unstoppable shot at goal. It's always rising, though, and cannons back out off the upright with Hradecky not close to saving it.
35'

NO COLOGNE PENALTY!

Wolf is brought down by Aranguiz and Cologne were initially awarded a penalty. VAR has a check if it is outside the area or not, and a free-kick is given instead.
34'

COLOGNE LOOKING CONFIDENT

For a team second from bottom in the Bundesliga, Cologne are playing with real confidence here. Tidy one-touch interplay is keeping Leverkusen one step off the visitors so far. No chances have come Cologne's way in the last 10 minutes or so though.
33'
Video Assistant RefereeVideo Assistant Referee
SituationPenalty
ReviewOutside Penalty Area?
DecisionNo penalty
30'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
1.
Moussa Diaby
Moussa Diaby33.29km/h
2.
Marius Wolf
Marius Wolf32.50km/h
29'

SLOWING THINGS DOWN

Leverkusen are looking to take the tempo out of the game when on the ball here, especially in defence. Cologne are pressing from the front to make that easier said than done, and it's working in their favour with possession switching between the two sides frequently.
26'

A LITTLE TOO EASY...

Cologne have been good here so far, but in recent minutes have allowed the pressure to come off Leverkusen with some fouls calming the game down for the hosts. Funkel will want his side to get back on top quickly, and to continue creating chances.
22'

STORY SO FAR...

Leverkusen have the lead, but Cologne have been the better side since then...
Goal attempts
0off target
1on target
3off target
0on target
21'

HECTOR JUST WIDE!

The next chance for Cologne comes down the left again, with Horn crossing into the middle and Hector has to adjust to meet it by turning his back to goal in the end. It works to get a clean connection, but his blindsided header goes just wide of goal.
18'

GETTING CLOSER

Another mistake from Leverkusen - this one from Jedvaj - leads to the next Cologne chance. Dennis cuts inside from the left wing to curl a shot intended for the far corner, but it's just wide of the mark across goal. Cologne building into this game, though.
camera-photo

JUMPING FOR JOY

In the reverse fixture between these sides, Leverkusen were 2-0 up inside 10 minutes. Here, Bailey's opener inside five minutes has them ahead.
11'

FIRST CHANCE!

The away side get forward for the first time with Aranguiz's stray pass picked off by Wolf. It's Dennis closing in on the area down the right and he plays the ball back towards Meyer in front of goal, whose shot is blocked behind.
10'

HOSTS ON TOP

Since taking the lead, Leverkusen have stayed on top here with Cologne struggling to keep the ball out of their own half. Pressing across the pitch is taming a slow-starting Cologne side so far.
5'

AS SIMPLE AS BAILEY!

What a start for the hosts as Leverkusen take the lead after just five minutes. It's Diaby who claims the assist as he beats Horn with a silky touch before crossing to the back post. Bailey is there to head at goal with Ehizibue unable to clear the cross and Leverkusen are in front.
5'

Leon Bailey

GOAL!

1:0
Leon Bailey
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
28 %
4'

LEVERKUSEN SET UP

We've seen different formations from Hannes Wolf in almost all of his games in charge so far, and today is no different. It's a 4-2-3-1 with Jedvaj at right-back, Wendell on the left. Amiri is in the No.10 role.
1'

HERE WE GO!

A key game at the top and bottom of the table, and it's a derby to boot! Settle in for what should be an intense 90 minutes of Bundesliga action in Leverkusen...
Kick-off!

TWO NEW COACHES HEAD-TO-HEAD

Wolf has taken four points from a possible six since replacing Peter Bosz. It's the best start made by any Leverkusen coach since Roger Schmidt kicked off his tenure in 2014/15 with back-to-back wins, followed by a draw. Meanwhile, Funkel is back in a Bundesliga dugout for the first time since suffering a 3-0 defeat to Leverkusen, which cost him as job as Fortuna Düsseldorf head coach in late January 2020
0:13
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WATCH: THE DERBY VENUE!

The visiting side take a look at the BayArena pitch before this evening's main event in the Bundesliga.

LEVERKUSEN TEAM NEWS

Bailey is among those to come in, and Schick is another into the starting line-up with Alario - who scored his 10th league goal of the season in the 2-1 win over Schalke two weeks ago - making way. Wolf essentially has the same group of players at his disposal as he did in Sinsheim, but is handing chances to different members of his squad. A win would take Bayer back up to fifth - for 24 hours at least - with Dortmund taking on Werder Bremen on Sunday.

COLOGNE TEAM NEWS

Friedhelm Funkel has been parachuted in on a deal until the end of the season, with the sole aim of keeping the Cathedral City club afloat. Winless in eight, they begin the weekend in 17th place, three points adrift of the relegation play-off spot, and with Sweden international Andersson out once again, Dennis leads the line in Duda's place.

LEVERKUSEN STARTING XI!

Hradecky - Jedvaj, S. Bender, Tapsoba - Diaby, Palacios, Aranguiz (c), Wendell - Bailey, Amiri - Schick

LEVERKUSEN SUBS

Grill, Tah, Dragovic, Demirbay, Alario, Sinkgraven, Weiser, Frimpong, Bellarabi

COLOGNE STARTING XI!

T. Horn - Ehizibue, Bornauw, Czichos, J. Horn - Skhiri, Hector (c) - Wolf, Meyer, Kainz - Dennis

COLOGNE SUBS

Zieler, Schmitz, Katterbach, Limnios, Rexhbecaj, Özcan, Mere, Drexler, Lemperle

HEAD-TO-HEAD: ADVANTAGE LEVERKUSEN

These teams have met 65 times previously in the Bundesliga, with Leverkusen taking the spoils on 25 occasions. There have been 24 draws, while Cologne have won 16 times. Leverkusen triumphed 4-0 earlier this season and also won 3-1 in their last home fixture with Cologne, whose last away victory against their local rivals was in November 2015.

FORM - LEVERKUSEN

The home side also have a new man in charge, Hannes Wolf having taken over the reins from Peter Bosz following a series of disappointing results in the first few months of the year. Die Werkself won their first match under Wolf, beating Schalke 2-1 on Matchday 27, but struggled to properly get going last week and drew 0-0 with Hoffenheim. They're still in contention for a top-six finish, but Union Berlin, Gladbach and Freiburg are all hot on their heels in the table.
2:03
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WATCH: HOFFENHEIM 0-0 LEVERKUSEN

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NEW MAN IN CHARGE

Last week's defeat to Mainz spelled the end of the line for Markus Gisdol in the Cologne dugout. He's been replaced by veteran tactician Friedhelm Funkel (r.), who was most recently at the helm of Fortuna Düsseldorf between 2016 and 2020.

FORM - COLOGNE

It's all about survival today for the Billy Goats after last week's 3-2 defeat against fellow strugglers Mainz left them in 17th place, three points adrift of Hertha Berlin in the relegation play-off spot. Cologne haven't won since beating Gladbach on 6 February (Matchday 20), taking just two of a possible 24 points since then.
2:03
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WATCH: COLOGNE 2-3 MAINZ

DERBY TIME!

These sides a just a stone's throw apart geographically, sitting on opposite banks of the Rhine river. That adds extra spice into today's encounter, with bragging rights on the line in addition to the teams' respective need for points.

Welcome!

Here you will find the most important information on the game between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and 1. FC Köln on Matchday 29 of the 2020/21 Bundesliga season.