Holders Bayer Leverkusen into DFB Cup semis after dramatic turnaround against Cologne
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
Running the show
Cologne are trying to keep tabs on Wirtz but he's too good to keep quiet for long.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
"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."
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
Watch: Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 Hoffenheim
Leverkusen, meanwhile, beat Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Sunday, with new signing Emiliano Buendía picking up two assists.
Cologne's last match ended in a 2-1 victory, with Damion Downs scoring the winner in the first half.
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.