Leverkusen roar to Rhine Derby win over Köln
Sunday’s Bundesliga action kicked off with the Rhine Derby clash of Bayer Leverkusen and FC Köln. Xabi Alonso’s side ended up prevailing in this particular edition 3-0.
Marvin Schwäbe did his level best to keep parity in the game’s opening quarter. The Koln shot-stopper repelled Boniface twice and Wirtz from range in the 18th minute. However, there was little he could do about Hofmann’s breakthrough strike. A flowing move started by Bonface found Grimaldo, who picked out Wirtz. The former backheeled into his compatriot’s path who slotted beneath Chabot.
Leverkusen’s lethal wingbacks combined for 2-0 after the half hour mark – Grimaldo with a trademark cross to the back post where Frimpong tapped in. Schwäbe pulled off a sublime save to keep Grimaldo out in the 35th minute. The Spaniard curled his effort towards the top left corner only for Schwäbe to claw to safety. Hradecký too had some work of his own denying Martel at the double in injury time.
Schwabe was on his toes once again to tip Wirtz’s strike over the bar upon the restart. Frimpong was next to be foiled. Boniface unselfish in teeing the Dutchman up but Schwäbe had narrowed the angle expertly. At this point both Alonso and Baumgart looked to their benches for added energy.
However, Köln’s goalkeeper could only keep the Werkself machine at bay for so long. With a quarter of action to go, Hofmann raced into the box and squared for Boniface who converted for 3-0. The Nigerian should’ve made it a brace on 77 minutes, but his strike faded wide. Leverkusen victorious in a one-sided Rhine Derby.