Patrik Schick's (l.) brace set defending DFB Cup champions Bayer Leverkusen on the road to recovery against Cologne.
Patrik Schick's (l.) brace set defending DFB Cup champions Bayer Leverkusen on the road to recovery against Cologne. - © IMAGO/Anke Waelischmiller/Sven Simon
Patrik Schick's (l.) brace set defending DFB Cup champions Bayer Leverkusen on the road to recovery against Cologne. - © IMAGO/Anke Waelischmiller/Sven Simon
bundesliga

Holders Bayer Leverkusen into DFB Cup semis after dramatic turnaround against Cologne

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Patrik Schick scored a stoppage-time equaliser and Victor Boniface an extra-time winner as DFB Cup holders Bayer Leverkusen hit back from 2-0 down to beat Cologne in an absorbing quarter-final tie at the BayArena.

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Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Cologne (Leverkusen win 3-2 AET)
Goals: 0-1
Downs 45'+10 (assist: Ljubičić), 0-2 Maina 53' (assist: Downs), 1-2 Schick 61' (assist: Wirtz), 2-2 Schick 90'+6 (assist: Frimpong), 3-2 Boniface 98' (assist: Grimaldo)

Unbeaten domestic double winners in 2023/24 but currently second to Bayern Munich in this season's Bundesliga, Leverkusen survived an early scare when Cologne's Damion Downs flashed a shot wide with 15 minutes gone. That sparked a wave of Leverkusen pressure which lasted deep into first-half added time, albeit without bearing fruit. Bayer top scorer Schick put a cross from Grimaldo wide, before the roaming Spaniard rattled the crossbar with a trademark free-kick. Grimaldo then shot wide after good work on the opposite flank by the equally energetic Jeremie Frimpong. Having been hemmed in their own half for long periods, Bundesliga 2 leaders Cologne made the most of a rare counter-attack on the stroke of half-time. Dejan Ljubičić collected a stray clearance and found Downs in the area, the German-American forward smashing past Matěj Kovář for a surprise opener.

Cologne were on the back-foot once again after the restart as Schick fired wide. Marvin Schwäbe then got down well to repel a shot from Frimpong, with ex-Cologne youngster Florian Wirtz putting the follow-up wide from 18 yards. The Billy Goats' response was not to hide. Instead, they launched another lightning counter, which culminated in Downs feeding Linton Maina for a confident strike into the bottom corner. Shaken but not stirred, Leverkusen halved the deficit courtesy of a classy run from Wirtz and nonchalant Schick finish through the legs of Schwäbe. Leverkusen monopolised possession in their search for an equaliser, but were almost caught cold from a corner that Timo Hübers headed straight at Kovář. Schwäbe denied Nathan Tella and Jonathan Tah, before Schick headed home at the death to force extra-time. The tide turned, substitute Boniface completed the comeback with a close-range finish to send the holders into the last four - but only after Imad Rondic had a 112th-minute equaliser ruled out for offside upon VAR review.

Match stats

  • Leverkusen join VfB Stuttgart in the semi-finals. Werder Bremen go to third-tier Arminia Bielefeld and Wolfsburg visit RB Leipzig in the remaining quarter-final ties.
  • Xabi Alonso is unbeaten in 10 DFB Cup games as Leverkusen head coach, winning his first nine inside 90 minutes.
  • The Werkself hadn't conceded in their previous five cup matches, their second-longest such run in the tournament.
  • Schick scored his 19th and 20th goals of 2024/25, four of which have fallen in the DFB Cup. He is now the top scorer in this season's competition.
  • Downs broke the deadlock with his eighth touch of the game. It was his first DFB Cup goal.
  • Maina's strike for 2-0 was just Cologne's second shot on goal.

Teams

Leverkusen: Kovář - Mukiele (García 86'), Tah (c), Tapsoba (Hincapié 46') - Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios (Boniface 76'), Grimaldo (Hermoso 101') - Buendía (Tella 60'), Wirtz - Schick 
Unused subs: Hrádecký, Hofmann, Andrich, Arthur
Out: Belocian (knee), Terrier (Achilles)
Coach: Xabi Alonso

Cologne: Schwäbe - Schmied, Hübers (c), Heintz - Thielmann (Gazibegovic 93'), Martel, Huseinbašić (Olesen 72'), Finkgräfe (Paqarada 72') - Ljubicic - Maina (Rondic 80'), Downs (Tigges 65')
Unused subs: Racioppi, Waldschmidt, Obuz, Telle
Out: Christensen (knee), Kilian (knee), Lemperle (hamstring), Pauli (concussion), Uth (calf)
Coach: Gerhard Struber

As it happened!

3 - 2

(0 - 1)

Leverkusen
FINAL
Cologne
DFB Pokal
Quarter-final
Quarter-final BayArena
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Full time: Leverkusen 3-2 Cologne

The reigning cup holders breathe a sigh of relief after being pushed all the way by their city neighbours. Leverkusen dominated throughout the match but struggled to convert their superiority into goals and even went 2-0 down after some clinical finishing from Downs and Maina. However, a brace from Schick, including a last-gasp equaliser in stoppage time of normal, sent the match into extra time, in which Boniface hit the decisive winner.
Full-time
119'

Two more minutes

We're approaching extra time in extra time.
114'

Late surge

That disallowed goal has given Cologne belief that they can breach the Leverkusen backline again and now they're getting forward with greater purpose.
110'

GOAL DISALLOWED!

Substitute Rondic has the ball in the net for an unexpected equaliser but after a VAR check it's disallowed.
109'

Chance for Frimpong

The wing-back surges into the box and gets a shot away but with tired legs he can't generate the necessary power to beat Schwäbe.
106'

15 minutes to go

That is, assuming Leverkusen are able to see this to the line. Cologne have already scored twice against the run of play today though, so don't rule anything out.
Kick-off!
Half-time
105'

In the driving seat

Leverkusen are playing the ball around among themselves, keeping possession in midfield. Cologne look exhausted and can no longer press them with any great intensity.
101'

Injury concern

Grimaldo is taken off with an injury so on comes January signing Hermoso for his DFB Cup debut.
99'

Turnaround!

Grimaldo delivers an inch-perfect cross from the left towards the near post, where Boniface is arriving to side-foot home from close range!
98'
Victor Boniface
1:47
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Watch Leverkusen's late, late goals

Schick's last-gasp effort was nothing new for Leverkusen, who made a habit of scoring late on last season.
91'

And we're off

Cologne get extra time under way.
Kick-off!
90'
+ 9

Extra time here we come!

It's 2-2 after 90 minutes. Who will hold their nerve in extra time?
End of second half
90'
+ 8

The equaliser!

With the final whistle just seconds away, Leverkusen get their goal! A cross from the right is floated deep into the box and Schick rises highest to head home from the edge of the six-yard box.
90'
+ 7
Patrik Schick
90'
+ 3

Corner for Leverkusen...

... but it's headed out by a defender for another corner, which is cleared.
90'

Into added time

Leverkusen have eight minutes left to find a goal...
84'

Almost three!

A corner is met by Hübers but his header is straight at Kovář, who makes a save. They could have finished the game off there!
82'

Over from Schick

Leverkusen have started playing long balls into the Cologne box. One of these crosses falls for Schick, who lashes an effort at goal on the turn but he can't keep it down.
77'

Two up top

Boniface joins Schick in attack as the hosts continue their search for an equaliser.
74'

Fresh legs

Bracing for the need to dig in and hold on for the next 20 minutes or so, Cologne make two changes. Finkgräfe, who limped off moments earlier, is replaced by Paqarada, while Olesen takes Huseinbašić's spot in midfield.
66'

Relief for Leverkusen

Downs has been the spikiest of thorns in Leverkusen's side today with a goal and an assist. His pace has caused them problems but he now makes way for Tigges, who offers a more robust presence, able to hold the ball up.
62'

Game on...

Extraordinary skill from Wirtz to control a long ball forward down the left and then jink past Thielmann as if he wasn't there. He bides his time and then plays a perfectly weighted pass through to Schick, who finishes through Schwäbe's legs and into the far corner from close range.
61'
Patrik Schick
61'

Roll of the dice

Leverkusen obviously need to score, so Alonso opts for the pace of Tella over the guile of Buendía.
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Snatch and grab

This is shaping up to be a textbook counter-attacking display from Cologne, who have scored from their only two shots on target.
55'

Wow! Cologne get a second!

A Leverkusen attack breaks down and the Cologne defence put a long ball forward for a breather. Downs does superbly with his first touch to bring the ball down and cut inside Tah in one movement before releasing Maina into space down the right. He drives forward, cuts inside Mukiele and buries the ball past Kovář. A massive upset is on the cards!
54'

Linton Maina

GOAL!

0:2
Linton Maina
52'

So close for Leverkusen!

Frimpong scurries into the box down the right, checks his run, cuts on to his left foot and shoots. Schwäbe makes a fine save but the rebound falls to Wirtz, arriving on the edge of the box. His first-time effort spins just wide of the post though.
49'

Schick almost in

The forward rolls his marker to create some space for himself inside the box but Heintz recovers well to block his shot for a corner.
47'

Peeep!

The ball is rolling again at the BayArena. No changes from Cologne but Leverkusen make one substitution at the back as Hincapié comes on for Tapsoba.
Kick-off!
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Half-time: Leverkusen 0-1 Cologne

The home side had 70 percent of possession in the first half and peppered the Cologne area with crosses and shots but it's the Bundesliga 2 leaders who are in front at the interval thanks to Down's strike.
Half-time
45'
+ 10

Cologne lead!

On the stroke of half-time and against the run of play, the Billy Goats take the lead. Leverkusen are too casual in defending a long ball forward and it comes to Downs, who rides two tackles before rifling a low shot in at the near post! Completely out of the blue!
45'
+ 10

Damion Downs

GOAL!

0:1
Damion Downs
45'
+ 5

More of the same

Leverkusen trying to find a way through, Cologne closing the gaps.
45'

10 added minutes

There's plenty of time left in this half due to the stoppage shortly after kick-off.
44'

Rare Cologne attack

Maina wins possession in midfield and the away side try to get forward. For a moment it looks like Downs could be played through on goal but his run isn't seen and the opportunity fizzles out.
40'

One-way traffic

Xabi Alonso's side are really piling on the pressure now and have been camped inside the Cologne half for several minutes. The visitors are defending deep and in numbers - but you still get the sense a Leverkusen goal is coming.
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Running the show

Cologne are trying to keep tabs on Wirtz but he's too good to keep quiet for long.
34'

Just wide!

Cologne just can't deal with Frimpong's pace and direct running. He gets behind the defence for the third or fourth time this game, collecting a pass from Wirtz this time before cutting back into the centre for Grimaldo, who prods a shot just wide of the post with his weaker right foot.
32'

Frimpong in behind

The Dutchman skips past two defenders down the right, gets to the byline and floats a dangerous cross into the middle. There's nobody there to finish it off though.
30'

GRIMALDO HITS THE BAR!

After Wirtz is fouled just outside the area, Grimaldo takes the ensuing free-kick. The Spaniard sends a brilliant, dipping effort from 25 yards out over the wall and past Schwäbe, but it crashes off the crossbar and is cleared to safety!
29'

Doubling up on Wirtz

The visitors are clearly aware of the danger Wirtz poses and two or three players immediatñey surround him whenever he gets the ball.
26'

Positive from Cologne

An attack from the visitors peters out for a Leverkusen throw-in but there was some encouraging interplay around the edge of the home side's penalty area before then.
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Full throttle

We've had some decent chances in the last couple of minutes but there have also been a couple of full-blooded tackles, as you'd expect in a local derby.
20'

Wide from Schick

Grimaldo whips in a brilliant cross from the left and finds Schick in between two defenders at the back post. The Czech forward wins the aerial duel but can only steer his header wide of the target.
18'

Leverkusen probing

Wirtz floats a cross from the right towards the far post, where Grimaldo is arriving. It's a tight angle and his attempt to volley it back across goal is blocked.
15'

First chance of the game!

Maina chases a long ball forward down the right and then pulls the ball back to the onrushing Downs, inside the Leverkusen box. He's got a clear sight of goal but snatches at his shot and it sails well over the bar.
12'

Here we go again

The action has resumed.
3'

Break in play

The referee has paused the action while waiting for some smoke to clear.
1'

Here we go!

Cologne, decked out all in white, get the ball rolling!
Kick-off!

Cup king

Alonso has overseen nine wins from nine DFB Cup games as Leverkusen head coach - all inside 90 minutes.
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The stage is set

This is to be the scene of a fiercely contested local rival in a short while as they players vie for a place in the DFB Cup semi-finals.

Five for Leverkusen

Alonso has drafted in Kovář, Mukiele, Palacios, Buendía and Schick for this one, representing five changes from the 3-1 win over Hoffenheim on Sunday. Hrádecký, Hincapié, García, Tella and Boniface all drop to the bench.

Four changes for Cologne

The Bundesliga 2 leaders have brought in four new starters following their 2-1 win at Eintracht Braunschweig at the weekend. Thielmann, Maina, Finkgräfe and Huseinbašić all begin, with Tigges, Kainz, Paqarada and Gazibegović the ones to make way.

Leverkusen starting XI

Kovář - Mukiele, Tah (c), Tapsoba - Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo - Buendía, Wirtz - Schick 

Leverkusen subs

Hrádecký, Hincapié, Hermoso, Hofmann, Andrich, Arthur, Tella, Boniface, García

Cologne starting XI

Schwäbe - Schmied, Hübers (c), Heintz - Thielmann, Martel, Huseinbašić, Finkgräfe - Ljubicic - Maina, Downs

Cologne subs

Racioppi, Waldschmidt, Obuz, Pacarada, Tigges, Gazibegovic, Rondic, Olesen, Telle
0:22
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Watch: Florian Wirtz wins Goal of the Month for January 2025!

Run, nutmeg, finish. Check out the playmaker's glorious effort against Gladbach on Matchday 18 that won the fant vote, which took place exclusively in the official Bundesliga app.
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Xabi Alonso's view on Cologne

"A quarter-final is always special, but even more so to play one against Cologne. It'll be an intense and difficult game. They're brave and, in my opinion, have a Bundesliga squad with lots of quality and experience. They can also play with high intensity and are in very good form right now."
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Gerhard Struber's view on Leverkusen

"We're really looking forward to facing one of the best teams in Europe. We're the underdogs, which we're not used to. We all have to be prepared to suffer and defend in numbers, but also be aggressive and try to play with freedom. We need balance and to make the most of our chances on the counter."

Strong on the road

Cologne have lost just one game away from home in all competitions this season, so they will have hope of completing an upset here.

Tale of the Cup tape

This is the fourth time these two have met in the DFB Cup. Cologne won the first meeting in 1982/83, but Leverkusen have prevailed in the last two, with the most recent victory coming in 2001/02.
2:03
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Watch: Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 Hoffenheim

Leverkusen, meanwhile, beat Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Sunday, with new signing Emiliano Buendía picking up two assists.
1:03
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Watch: Eintracht Braunswhweig 1-2 Cologne - highlights

Cologne's last match ended in a 2-1 victory, with Damion Downs scoring the winner in the first half.
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Leverkusen continue title defence

The hosts, of course, are the current holders of the DFB Cup, having defeated Kaiserslautern 1-0 in the final last term courtesy of Granit Xhaka's strike.

Welcome!

Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of Wednesday's DFB Cup quarter-final tie between Bayer Leverkusen and Cologne.