Sunday October 24th 2021
Cologne still unbeaten at home
Modeste steals Bayer’s victory, which was believed to be certain
Bayer Leverkusen has long been the better team in the Rheinderby. But then 1. FC Köln turned up late and fought their way back into the game. And earns the point gain with a clear increase in performance after changing sides.
Anthony Modeste saved 1. FC Köln from their fourth derby defeat in a row with a late double. After a significant increase in performance in the second half, Cologne won a 2-2 (0-2) win against Bayer Leverkusen one week after the 0-5 clap in Hoffenheim after a two-goal deficit. As a result, the FC improved to eighth place, Leverkusen failed to keep up with the leading group.
Patrik Schick (15th) put the guests in the lead. Karim Bellarabi (17th), who had to be substituted in the 36th minute due to an injury, increased just 100 seconds later with his first goal of the season in an urgent phase for the Werkself. Modeste (63rd / 83rd) put the Cologne stadium in a frenzy of joy.
“Our direction will not change. We want to attack up front,” announced FC coach Steffen Baumgart, who was back in the starting line-up for captain Jonas Hector, before the derby.
Modeste suddenly has a lot of space
At the beginning, only Bayer attacked at the front, Cologne had massive problems between the chains and in the switching game. Cologne goalkeeper Timo Horn held Schick’s first shot safely (4th). The second attempt was made by ex-Cologne Florian Wirtz, who was accompanied by a whistle concert every time the ball hit, next to the goal (7th).
In contrast to the 1-1 on Thursday in the Europa League at Betis Sevilla, Leverkusen converted their clear superiority into goals early on. First, after a nice pass into the barrel of winger Moussa Diaby, Schick spiked the ball past Horn. Then two minutes later the ball landed in front of the feet of Bellarabi, who netted from close range. The again conspicuous Jeremie Frimpong only hit the bar (25th).
The mood among the FC fans became more restless, with ball losses and bad passes an annoyed murmur went through the stadium several times. The first somewhat dangerous action in the opponent’s penalty area was made by Hector, who failed due to the usual sovereign Bayer captain Lukas Hradecky (33rd). Almost in return, a counterattack should have meant the early preliminary decision, but Schick negligently threw the ball outnumbered.
After the break, Cologne ran into fast counterattacks from Leverkusen, Horn was there against Wirtz (62nd). Then Modeste, completely free-standing, created tension again at the far post, released new strength for the final phase and scored again.