Bayer Leverkusen starred in one of their worst games since Xabi Alonso arrived on their bench in October and suffered their first defeat in the Rhine derby against Cologne (1-2) after 14 games without defeat, nine of Bundesliga and five in the Europa League.
A defeat that, three days before the end of the German championship, ends Leverkusen’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League by remaining eight points behind Freiburg, fourth.
In addition, Xabi Alonso’s team, sixth in the table, sees the place it occupies in the Conference League at risk as Wolfsburg, seventh with two points less, could snatch it on Sunday, although t to do this they don’t have to win anymore. or less than Borussia Dortmund, second and with options for the title, at Signal Iduna Park.
On the doorstep of Roma-Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso did not reserve his best players ahead of the first leg of the Europa League semifinals that will face José Mourinho’s Roma in the Italian capital on Thursday, but Leverkusen never got into the game against a Cologne firm in defense that took three points from the BayArena with Justice.
Davie Selke, the end of Cologne, He was the executioner for Leverkusen by scoring two goals taking advantage of defensive errors. In the 15th minute the German striker opened the scoring by slotting a cross into the net Florian Kainz no opposition.
Cologne, two shots, two goals
Leverkusen equalized with their best play of the game, a perfectly executed quick move from their own end amen adli when finishing a pass with precision from Moussa Diaby (28′).
But the break is new selke, on Colonia’s second shot, he scored again by nailing the ball into the net on the first touch after a delivery from the right of Jan Thielmann (36′).
An unknown Leverkusen
Leverkusen were disoriented throughout the match, unbalanced in their lines and rushing as the minutes ticked by. Jeremy Frimpong, Diaby and Adliteam leader xabi alonso They didn’t have the option to use their speed against a strong physical opponent and were very solid defensively.
A Cologne that also came into the Rhine derby highly motivated after the controversy that preceded it felt hurt by the decision to move the game forward to Friday to give Leverkusen more time for the semifinal against Roma.
tension and stupidity
Tensions flared in the 80th minute when a pique broke out at the interval Frimpong and Linton Maina causing a fight that caused the referee to show a yellow card Maina and Julian Chabot of Cologne and quick for Leverkusen.
Colonia rose to tenth place and, with no day to go, ensured its permanence by taking 10 points from Stuttgart and Schalke, third from last and second from last respectively.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
