1. FC Köln were beaten 3:0 by Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday afternoon at the BayArena. Jonas Hofmann, Jeremie Frimpong and Victor Boniface scored for the hosts.
Team news
Xabi Alonso opted for seven alterations to rotate back to the side that began the 2:1 win against Molde in the UEFA Europa League. Matej Kovar, Josip Stanisic, Robert Andrich, Piero Hincapie, Nathan Tella, Adam Hlozek and Amine Adli were replaced by Lukas Hradecky, Odilon Kossounou, Exequiel Palacios, Alejandro Grimaldo, Jonas Hofmann, Victor Boniface and Florian Wirtz.
Steffen Baumgart made two changes to the side that started the 2:0 defeat to VfB Stuttgart last weekend. Eric Martel and Faride Alidou replaced Linton Maina and Steffen Tigges.
Behind at the break
Leverkusen were on top from the start and Florian Wirtz tested out Marvin Schwäbe inside the first 52 seconds. His low drive from 20 yards was parried to safety by the FC stopper. Jeff Chabot had FC’s only real opening of note in the early stages, yet his header from Leart Pacarada’s corner failed to trouble Lukas Hradecky in the Leverkusen goal.
The hosts went in front after 22 minutes, but not before Marvin Schwäbe and Jeff Chabot put in marvelous challenges to keep them at bay. Victor Boniface played the ball into the channel on the left-hand side, with Alejandro Grimaldo’s low cross flicked on by Florian Wirtz for Jonas Hofmann to convert from close range.
The second goal also saw Grimaldo involved. He managed to break away down the left and was able to cross for Jeremie Frimpong to slot home with ease at the back post. FC did have some late chances to halve the deficit. Davie Selke was denied by a brilliant Jonathan Tah block, while Eric Martel’s double chance saw Lukas Hradecky claw the ball off the line.
Boniface extends Leverkusen’s lead
The second period began with more chances for Leverkusen, and more superb stops from Marvin Schwäbe. First, he had to be alert to deny Florian Wirtz’s dipping effort from 20 yards. His second stop was arguably better, storming out in a one-on-three to shut down what looked like a certain goal for Frimpong after Boniface’s cutback.
Despite Marvin Schwäbe’s best attempts to keep the score to two, Leverkusen would find a third. Jonas Hofmann burst in behind the FC backline and teed up Victor Boniface to crash home from close range.
FC’s next game is in two weeks time, with the next international break around the corner. The RheinEnergieSTADION will play host to the first Rheinderby of the new season on Sunday 22nd October. Kick-off is at 15:30 CEST.
Line-ups
Bayer Leverkusen (3-4-3): Hradecky – Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba (Hincapie 71’) – Frimpong (Tella 81’), Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo – Hofmann (Puerta 88’), Boniface (Hlozek 81’), Wirtz (Adli 71’).
1. FC Köln (4-1-3-2): Schwäbe – Carstensen (Kilian 90+1’), Hübers, Chabot, Pacarada – Martel (Olesen 75’) – Huseinbasic (Tigges 75’), Ljubicic, Kainz – Selke (Downs 90+1’), Alidou (Finkgräfe 62‘).
Goals: 1:0, Hofmann 22’. 2:0, Frimpong 32‘. 3:0, Boniface 67‘.
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Berlin).
Booked: Frimpong (24’), Baumgart (24’), Tapsoba (45+3’), Tah (61’), Alonso (66’).
Attendance: 30,210 (sold-out).