1. FC Köln fell to a 2:0 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday evening in the BayArena. After an even first-half, goals from Martin Terrier and Robert Andrich made the difference for the hosts.
Team news
Kasper Hjulmand made two changes to the team which began the 2:2 draw against Newcastle United on Wednesday evening. Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrick Schick were replaced by Jonas Hofmann and Christian Kofane.
Lukas Kwasniok named an unchanged side to that which started the draw against FC St. Pauli. The only change within the squad came with Cenny Neumann replacing Jusuf Gazibegović.
Level at the break
The game began evenly, though Leverkusen enjoyed the majority of possession. In the ninth minute, the hosts had the first opportunity of the match. Malik Tillman flicked the ball through to Christian Kofiane, though he was denied brilliantly one-on-one by Marvin Schwäbe.
FC responded with two good chances of their own. Said El Mala made his way into the box after a lovely touch, with his outside of the foot cross reaching Luca Waldschmidt at the back post. Unfortunately, his sliding effort went wide of the mark. It was Waldschmidt who had the best effort at goal, with his rasping drive forcing a good save from Mark Flekken in the home goal.
The remainder of the half produced little in the way of clear-cut openings despite the best endeavours of both teams.
Terrier and Andrich decisive
The second-half saw FC make a triple change, as Cenk, Linton Maina and Ragnar Ache replaced Denis Huseinbašić, Luca Waldschmidt and Marius Bülter. Both teams traded early chances, with Malik Tillman heaving the ball over the bar whilst clean through on goal and Sebastian Sebulonsen and Maina bringing good saves from Flekken.
Leverkusen went ahead in the 66th minute as Martin Terrier produced a spectacular scorpion kick-off from Arthur’s cross. They doubled their advantage six minutes later, as Robert Andrich headed home from Aleix Garcia’s cross. That was enough to seal the win, with FC unable to get going after the double setback.
FC are next in action on Saturday, 20th December against 1. FC Union Berlin. Kick-off in the final game of the year is at 15:30 CET at the RheinEnergieSTADION.
Line-ups
Bayer Leverkusen (3-2-4-1): Flekken – Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba – Maza, Aleix Garcia (Bade 76’) – Arthur, Tillman (Belocian 86’), Hofmann (Terrier 62’), Poku (Tella 62’) – Kofane (Sarco 76’).
1. FC Köln (3-4-3): Schwäbe – Sebulonsen, Martel (Jóhannesson 80’), van den Berg – Thielmann, Huseinbašić (Cenk 46’), Krauß, Kamiński – Waldschmidt (Maina 46’), El Mala (Lund 73’), Bülter (Ache 46’).
Goals: 1:0, Terrier 66’. 2:0, Andrich 72’.
Referee: Harm Osmers (Hannover).
Booked: Martel (6’), Arthur (51’), Quansah (74’).
Attendance: 30,210 (sold-out).