Leverkusen roar to Rhine Derby win over Koln

Sunday’s Bundesliga action kicked off with the Rhine Derby clash of Bayer Leverkusen and FC Koln. As is often the case, this matchup tends to be a close fought encounter. witnessed Xabi Alonso’s side prevail 3-0.

Marvin Schwabe did his level best to keep parity in the game’s opening quarter. The Koln shot-stopper repelled Boniface twice and Wirtz from range in the 18th minute. However, there was little he could do about Hofmann’s breakthrough strike. A flowing move started by Bonface found Grimaldo, who picked out Wirtz. The former backheeled into his compatriot’s path who slotted beneath Chabot.

Leverkusen’s lethal wingbacks combined for 2-0 after the half hour mark – Grimaldo with a trademark cross to the back post where Frimpong tapped in. Schwabe pulled off a sublime save to keep Grimaldo out in the 35th minute. The Spaniard curled his effort towards the top left corner only for Schwabe to claw to safety. Hradecky too had some work of his own denying Martel at the double in injury time.

Schwabe was on his toes once again to tip Wirtz’s strike over the bar upon the restart. Frimpong was next to be foiled. Boniface unselfish in teeing the Dutchman up but Schwabe had narrowed the angle expertly. At this point both Alonso and Baumgart looked to their benches for added energy.

However, Koln’s goalkeeper could only keep the Werkself machine at bay for so long. With a quarter of action to go, Hofmann raced into the box and squared for Boniface who converted for 3-0. The Nigerian should’ve made it a brace on 77 minutes, but his strike faded wide. Leverkusen victorious in a one-sided Rhine Derby.

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