1. FC Cologne ended up in the derby the much needed relief. In the 63rd Rhineland duel in the Bundesliga against Bayer Leverkusen, FC defeated the rival 2-0 (0-0) and celebrated their first victory in almost two months.
Following the season's third success and the first under new coach Markus Gisdol, FC now have eleven points and boosted their confidence in the relegation battle.
Substitute Jhon Cordoba (73rd) took the lead with his goal – the goal is counted after being checked by the video assistant. Defender Sebastiaan Bornauw (84th) lifted himself a little later with a head.
Bayer Leverkusen loses derby and two players
Overall, the success was deserved because the promoted player had a better chance in a weak game and after a yellow card against Aleksandar Dragovic (62nd), played in the majority for almost half an hour. Leverkusen, who to make matters worse, lost replaces Leon Bailey (77th / red after aggravation), disappointed and missed the jump to higher table regions by another 25 points.
FC coach Markus Gisdol had previously demanded passion, determination and dedication from his professional – and rotated his team vigorously. He let Jan Thielmann, Noah Katterbach (18) and Ismail Jakobs (20), who are only 17 years old, work from the start, while established forces such as Simon Terodde, Cordoba and Marco Höger sat on the bench.
And the "young savages" were by no means hidden: Jacob's (5th place) had an early chance early, but Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky easily paired it. Even Bundesliga debutants Thielmann and Katterbach were hardly nervous. First, FC managed to keep the technically superior Leverkusen away from its own goal – with the virtues declared by Gisdol.
Gisdol proves Näschen: Joker Cordoba meets
Bayer, who left the Champions League during the week, found it difficult to find holes. Also Kai Havertz, who sat at the age of 20 and 186 days as his youngest player made his 100th appearance in the Bundesliga, remained pale. The national team had its longest striking scene just before the break when it looked yellow for an overly obvious swallow (41 & # 39;).
Both teams neutralized themselves to Jonas Hector suddenly appeared freely in the penalty area – but ended up too hectic (26th). Thielmann (34) also awarded from a promising position. A goal from Anthony Modeste (43rd) didn't count because of the offside.
And Leverkusen? The only guests who stood out among the weak guests were Moussa Diaby, the Cologne team could only defend the fast French with overall strength. Only after the break did Leverkusen become more determined, Cologne keeper Timo Horn had to intervene several times.
Gisdol replied by replacing Cordoba, who immediately paid off. Dragovic was only able to stop the strong Colombian with a foul and flew off the field. With the fans getting taller and taller behind, FC pushed for the opening goal and rewarded themselves. Bailey's exposure then ensured