DFB-POKAL PLAYER RATINGS | Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 1.FC Köln (3-2 AET) | OneFootball

In the marquee game of the quarter-finals of the DFB Pokal, Bayer Leverkusen beat 1.FC Köln in a ‘kleiner’ Rhein Derby to progress to the semi-finals, but it was not as easy as they first thought needing a comeback and extra-time to progress.

‘Pyrotechnik Ist doch kein Verbrechen

Wir werden dafür kämpfen

Und lassen Emotionen freien Lauf’

And the pyrotechnic display from the Köln fans at the beginning of the game was the most exciting thing of the first half. As you would expect in a game of a top Bundesliga side versus a 2.Bundesliga side, Leverkusen were completely dominant but most of their attempts at goal were half chances, with their best effort being an Alejandro Grimaldo free-kick that hit the crossbar. Jeremie Frimpong was a menace on the right wing for Leverkusen causing several issues for the Köln defence, but he lacked any end product in the first half, a common theme of his career. Then against the run of play, Köln played a long ball down the pitch and after a pass from Dejan Ljubicic, Damian Downs, who also had Köln’s only major chance of the game before this, managed to slot the ball past Matej Kovar for an unlikely opener.

Things would go from good to great for Köln when just after halftime, again a through ball was played and beat their high line, which allowed Linton Maina to run at the Leverkusen defence and make it 2-0 for this visitors. The second gave Leverkusen a much needed kick up the backside and they begun to put on the the pressure. After a great Bundesliga touch by Florian Wirtz (he looked like the logo*) and the beating of several Köln players with a needle threaded pass, Patrik Schick got one back for Leverkusen. Game on.

The hosts continued to push for a goal but struggled to break down Köln’s rigged defense. However, as time went on regular watchers of the Bundesliga would sense that although things looked bleak for Leverkusen, they would find a way to equalise. Eight minutes of added time was given and then we all knew what was coming. In the 96th minute, Jeremie Frimpong swings in a cross and it is met by Schick to equalise for Leverkusen and save them from elimination from the DFB Pokal. Extra-time.

In the extra 30 minutes, it was all Leverkusen (as we would expect) and it was only a matter of time before they took the lead as Köln began to tire. In the 98th minute, Victor Boniface diverted in a Grimaldo cross to make it 3-2 to Die Werkself. In the second half of extra time, Köln were then on the up and thought they had levelled it when January signing Imad Rondic scored in the 111th minute but the goal would be ruled out for offside. Leverkusen were able to hold on, just, and secure their passage to the DFB Pokal final.

Die Werkself were able to show the mentality that they possessed last season for the first time in a while this season, being able to come from behind against a tough opposition to win the game. However, Leverkusen’s defence was far from convicingy this evening and looked shaky throughout the evening, even after they had gone 3-2 up. With a tough game away at Wolfsburg next, Leverkusen must improve to avoid a potential banana skin this weekend.

Köln on the other hand showed that they have the capability to hold their own if they gain promotion back to the Bundesliga this season.

Bayer Leverkusen:

Matej Kovar (5), Nordi Mukiele (5), Jonathan Tah (5), Edmond Tapsoba (4), Jeremie Frimpong (6), Granit Xhaka (5), Exequiel Palacios (5), Alejandro Grimaldo (6), Emiliano Buendia (5), Florian Wirtz (6), Patrik Schick (7)

Others: Piero Hincapié (5), Nathan Tella (5), Victor Boniface (6), Aleix Garcia (5), Mario Hermoso (-)

1.FC Köln:

Marvin Schwäbe (5), Timo Hübers (6), Joe Schmied (6), Dominque Heintz (6), Jan Thielmann (6), Eric Martel (6), Dejan Ljubicic (6), Max Finkgräfe (6), Denis Huseinbasic (6), Damion Downs (7), Linton Maina (7)

Others: Steffen Tigges (5), Leart Paqarada (5), Mathias Oelsen (5), Imad Rondic (5), Jusuf Gazibegovic (5)

GGFN Man of the Match: Patrik Schick (7)

Two goals, and two very important goals. When Leverkusen needed someone, he and Florian Wirtz (naturally) stepped up to help them avoid elimination. His first goal was a very well taken effort, scoring from an unlikely angle. While he was in the right place at the right time for the second to head home the equaliser.

A shoutout for Damion Downs. On another day, he would win GGFN Man of the Match™ as he played a key role in Köln going 2-0 up, but today wasn’t their day and Köln were the next team to be Leverkusened™

GGFN | Jack Meenan

* Harry Kane won an award for the same thing before tapping the ball in. This means Schick’s first goal is ‘Sportschau Goal of the Year 2025’