15:14
Leverkusen actually only got one win in the last four Rhine derbies. The last two home games were even lost. Some Cologne players who are in the starting line-up today will also remember this. At the same time, Baumgart will tell his players that a new game will of course be played today.
3:05 p.m
Cologne lost 2-0 to high-flyers VfB Stuttgart last week. In comparison, Steffen Baumgart switches to two positions. Eric Martel is back in the squad after recovering from Achilles tendon problems and has moved straight into the starting line-up. Faride Alidou also brings some speed into the game up front. Instead, Steffen Tigges and the often unfortunate Linton Maina take a seat on the bench.
14:57
During the week, Leverkusen won 1-2 in the Europa League in Molde and is now rotating. Xabi Alonso brings Lukáš Hrádecký, Odilon Kossounou, Álex Grimaldo, Florian Wirtz, Exequiel Palacios, Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface back into the starting eleven. What initially sounds like a big change is actually the line-up that started five of the first six league games. So the Werkself remain true to themselves.
2:48 p.m
1. FC Köln revealed some problems on the first six match days. Lost regulars could not be compensated, important players have not yet reached their performance limit and the flank-based tactics seem too predictable. You could almost say that the Billy Goats are at the bottom of the table for a reason. Steffen Baumgart hasn’t been dealt with yet, but it’s clear to everyone involved that things can’t go on like this. A win before the international break would definitely ease the situation.
2:39 p.m
Nine games, eight wins, one draw at Bayern: This season could hardly go better for Bayer Leverkusen. The Werkself entered the match day as leaders and has already sparked lively discussions. Will it be enough to win the title this year? When will the always expected slump come? Where will coach Xabi Alonso end up after the season? In any case, it is clear that the first stumbling block should hardly be the current bottom of the table. On the other hand, it is precisely these surprises that make football.
2:32 p.m
Welcome to the Rhine derby! Bayer Leverkusen and 1. FC Köln meet at 3:30 p.m. Rarely have the two teams been so far apart, but anything is possible in the derby!