Highlights
Derby delight sends Leverkusen top
© IMAGO/RHR-Foto
Full-time
90'
+ 1
Three minutes added on
Cologne make their final changes in the dying moments of this.
90'
+ 1
Substitution
90'
+ 1
Substitution
90'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
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.
89'
Things winding down
The hosts have taken the foot off the gas and are strolling to the win now. Hofmann, who has been excellent once again, is replaced by Puerta for the final minutes.
88'
Substitution
81'
Couple more changes
Two stars of today's game depart as Frimpong and Boniface - both goalscorers - are replaced by Tella and Hložek.
81'
Substitution
81'
Substitution
79'
Almost four
How is it not 4-0!? That Bayer counter-attack breaks at speed and Boniface is clear on goal but his effort flies just past the post. A rare missed chance from Boniface.
How Boniface made it 3-0
© IMAGO/Uwe Kraft
76'
This is a dangerous Leverkusen side
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
3
3.63
1.27
0
Goals
76'
Goal attempts
8off target
10on target
3off target
2on target
75'
Double change Cologne
A couple of switches from Baumgart this time, with Tigges coming on to try to offer something else in attack. Olesen also makes his return from injury.
75'
Substitution
75'
Substitution
72'
Double change Leverkusen
Wirtz won't get his goal today after being replaced by Adli. Hincapié also enters the fray, replacing Tapsoba at the back.
71'
Substitution
71'
Substitution
70'
Bayer and Boniface can't stop scoring
That's Boniface's seventh goal of the season and Leverkusen are now the league's top scorers. This team looks special right now.
67'
Boniface has his goal
It's not Wirtz, but it's Boniface. It's seemed inevitable that he would get a goal today and the big man makes it 3-0 by tapping home Hofmann's square pass. It's another sublime team move and that all-but wraps up the points for Leverkusen.
Goal probability
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.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
66'
Wirtz due a goal against his old club?
Shots
5
2
Florian Wirtz Eric Martel
62'
Alidou off, Finkgräfe on
Alidou's first Bundesliga start comes to an end as Baumgart calls for Finkgräfe from the bench. It was a tough ask for Alidou today, Cologne just haven't got their attack into the game.
62'
Substitution
Alonso kicking every ball
© IMAGO/Uwe Kraft
55'
Frimpong denied
It's almost goal number 23 in the league as Boniface unselfishly passes across goal to Frimpong to finish but Schwäbe is to the rescue again.
51'
Bundesliga's joint-leading scorers
Leverkusen scored their 21st and 22nd goals of the league season thus today, a return only equalled by VfB Stuttgart. They've scored at least twice in all 10 of their fixtures across all competitions, which is 36 in total at an average of 3.6 goals per game.
48'
Super Schwäbe
If it wasn't for the Cologne goalkeeper, Leverkusen would be 5-0 up. This time Schwäbe somehow gets a finger's tip to Wirtz's effort and it's enough to push the ball over the bar. Leverkusen have started well again.
46'
Back underway
We're up and running once more in Leverkusen...
Kick-off!
Leverkusen ahead and coasting
© Imago
Half-time
45'
+ 1
Four minutes added on
The board goes up just before Selke has a great opportunity to pull one back. It's a lovely reverse pass from Kainz and Selke does well to turn inside Frimpong but the ball takes a nick and sails over the bar. Cologne almost score from the corner but the ball's not over the line.
41'
Leverkusen dominating the ball
Possession (%)
6634
41'
39'
Leverkusen loving life
The movement off the ball, the swift interchanges around the box, the piercing passing and rapid pace that Leverkusen are playing at are devastating. It's a case of 'how many?' at this rate.
36'
What a save
Grimaldo cuts in from the right after a short corner and lets fly but is denied by a stunning Schwäbe save as the ball looked destined for the top corner.
34'
It could be even higher
It could be even higher
0'
73.5 %
Now
92.8 %
33'
Leverkusen double their lead
It's 2-0 to Leverkusen, with Grimaldo crossing from one side and Frimpong tapping home at the other. Yet again, it's a delightful move and Leverkusen are playing like proper title hopefuls here. Stunning stuff.
Goal probability
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.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
Happy Hofmann
© AFP via Getty Images
30'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
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.
25'
Selke nearly let in
A short backpass from Leverkusen almost allows Selke in on goal but Hrádecký is sharp off his line to clear. he hosts go right up the other end and win a corner but it comes to nothing.
23'
It was coming
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
1
0.67
0.22
0
Goals
22'
Deadlock broken
Leverkusen have been firmly on top and their pressure finally tells with a stunning team move. Boniface, Grimaldo and Wirtz are all involved with Wirtz's clever touch finding Hofmann to turn home from close range. A great goal, Leverkusen looking excellent once more.
22'
SituationGoal
ReviewPrevious handball?
DecisionGoal
Goal probability
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.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
Wirtz denied
© AFP via Getty Images
18'
Wirtz and Palacios pulling the strings
Wirtz and Palacios pulling the strings
Pass Efficiency
17'
Over the bar from Tah
Tah sneaks in at the back post to meet Hofmann's free-kick from the left but his header clears the crossbar. Leverkusen well on top right now.
15'
Shot No. 42
That was shot number 42 for Boniface this season, that's 13 more than Serhou Guirassy who is next on the list with most efforts on goal this term.
13'
Good save Schwäbe
Boniface, who loves a shot, follows up his first shot of the game with a wonderful piece of skill to put him one-on-one with Schwäbe but the Cologne 'keeper is up to the task. That was seriously good from Boniface.
10'
Alidou in attack
Alidou, making his first Bundesliga start today, is actually playing alongside Selke in attack. We thought he may drop in behind Selke but Baumgart has stuck with his preferred option of two up-front.
7'
Big job for Cologne midfield
Martel, back in the side after injury, and Huseinbašić have a major task ahead of them today in getting the best of things in midfield. The culture and clout, respectively of Palacios and Xhaka on the other side will pose a serious challenge.
5'
Leverkusen warming up
The hosts start to get the legs pumping through Boniface and Grimaldo but the former can't find the latter as they got to the Cologne box.
3'
Beware the B04 counter
Cologne have started well at the BayArena but Leverkusen have already threatened to counter-attack, something that has brought them great success this season.
1'
Off we go
We're up and running in Leverkusen...
Kick-off!
In for a treat
As the previous tweet shows, there will be some atmosphere in the BayArena today. Will the game go to form and see Leverkusen return to the top or can Cologne chalk up a big win? We'll soon find out.
Half hour to kick-off
We've got just about half an hour to go until the ball starts rolling on Sunday's Matchday 7 fixtures, with bragging rights on the line in Leverkusen first up.
0:05
Watch: Peek into the visitors' dressing room
More on those teams - Leverkusen
Alonso's outfit are incredibly settled at the minute, with the Spaniard lining up with exactly the same 3-4-2-1 formation and personnel for the sixth time in seven games. If it ain't broke...
More on those teams - Cologne
Cologne have added a bit of protection in midfield in the shape of the returning Eric Martel, who features for the first time since Matchday 3. Davie Selke is up top on his own, with Steffen Tigges dropping to the bench.
Leverkusen starting XI
Hrádecký (c) - Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba - Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo - Hofmann, Wirtz - Boniface
Leverkusen subs
Kovář, Stanišić, Hincapié, Andrich, Amiri, Puerta, Tella, Adli, Hložek
Cologne starting XI
Schwäbe - Carstensen, Hübers, Chabot, Paqarada - Huseinbašić, Martel - Ljubičić, Kainz (c), Alidou - Selke
Cologne subs
Pentke, Heintz, Kilian, Finkgräfe, Limnios, Olesen, Tigges, Adamyan
Teams have arrived
Both sets of players are through the door at the BayArena and we will be finding out very shortly what their starting XIs look like.
Baumgart: "I'm convinced we'll have a good season"
Things aren't looking quite as rosy in Cologne but a win up the road today could be just what they need to get their season going. "We have to battle to get out of the situation," said Baumgart this week. "But I'm still convinced that we'll have a good season."
2:03
Watch: Frimpong pens new Leverkusen deal
Florian in focus
© Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images
As it stands
Going into Sunday's final three fixtures of Matchday 7, Leverkusen have dropped to third but they can regain top spot by beating their Rhine rivals. As for Cologne, they go into the game in last place and four points from safety.
Set your alarms
A spot of housekeeping to get us underway today, with the derby kicking-off at 3.30pm CEST. Team news will drop approximately an hour before then so set your alarms and pop notifications on if you're using our app to make sure you see those teams when they land.
Leverkusen team news
Xabi Alonso has little to worry about in terms of injuries ahead of this clash. In fact, only Arthur and Patrik Schick are unavailable for this encounter and, with the latter back on the training pitch, the Czech Republic international could soon be available for selection once more.
Cologne looking to kickstart campaign
The first few weeks of this term have ben difficult for Cologne. They are without a win in their opening six matches, managing just one draw alongside five defeats and, as a result, they sit bottom of the table. They have never had a worst start to a season, but there is no better occasion on which to arrest a slump in form than a home derby.
Probable line-ups
© Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images
Watch: The story of Xabi Alonso
0:29
Watch: Alejandro Grimaldo's free-kick vs. Mainz recreated on FC24
3:01
Watch: Vote for your September Goal of the Month!
2:03
Watch: Leverkusen 1-2 Cologne - previous meeting
Head-to-head
Leverkusen may be rampant right now, but they have lost their last two Bundesliga home meetings with Cologne – results which marked the first time they have ever lost back-to-back home games against the Billy Goats.
Is this the year for Neverkusen?
Leverkusen have made their best-ever start to a Bundesliga season with 16 points after
six games (W5, D1), with the one blip being the 2-2 draw away at Bayern. As a result, they go into a matchday top of the Bundesliga table for the third time this season – the most since 2014/15 (also three) - and the club are dreaming of the title already.
2:03
Watch: Mainz 0-3 Leverkusen - highlights
2:03
Watch: Cologne 0-2 VfB Stuttgart - highlights
0:30