For many Bayer Leverkusen fans, the draw in the Champions League was over shortly after the final whistle. While the team received the applause on the pitch, the curve displayed a banner saying: “Win the derby!” After his mistake in the 2-2 draw against Newcastle United, goalkeeper Mark Flekken wasn’t quite in the mood for the neighborhood duel with 1. FC Köln on Saturday evening (6.30 p.m./Sky).
“I’ll get some feeling from the guys who have been here a little longer. The anticipation will increase once I’m done with the mistake here,” said the goalkeeper, referring to the situation before the 1-1 draw when he brought Nick Woltemade off his feet. The DFB striker slipped the ball from Flekken’s foot in a moment of carelessness and then gratefully accepted the contact.
Character of the team saves 2:2
“He puts his foot out cleverly. Clear penalty, clear mistake, it’s my responsibility,” said the Dutchman. “It’s an old, well-known story: If you make a mistake as a goalkeeper, unfortunately 19 out of 20 times it turns out very badly.” Anthony Gordon converted the penalty (51′), the “Magpies” then even took the lead through Lewis Miley (74′), before Alejandro Grimaldo saved the point late on (88′).
“I’m just very happy that the boys in front of me showed such character and managed to get a 2-2,” Flekken summed up after an overall draw that was fair enough. “The point could be important in the end. Of course I would have preferred to be here with two more points. We still have two opponents in the remaining program that seem feasible,” he added, referring to the games at Olympiacos Piraeus and against Villarreal.
Risk game against neighbor Cologne
Two game days before the end of the group phase, Leverkusen is in 20th place with nine points and would therefore currently qualify for the play-offs in February. Before that, the focus is on national league operations. “It’s important to step up. When we play against Cologne, it’s always something special for the fans, but for us it’s just a matter of achieving the next top performance in the Bundesliga,” said Bayer sports director Simon Rolfes.
After two defeats against Augsburg (0:2) and Dortmund (1:2), Bayer 04, fourth in the table, has lost some of the connection. The 72nd Bundesliga duel with the Billy Goats, who are only around 15 kilometers away as the crow flies, promises excitement and emotions. The police are on duty with a large contingent around the risk game. A heated atmosphere is guaranteed, captain Robert Andrich also knows: “It’s going to burn here on Saturday. We’ll do everything we can.”
Coach Hjulmand is probably back, striker Schick is questionable
Head coach Kasper Hjulmand, who was briefly absent from the premier class for personal reasons, is expected to return to Leverkusen in time for the heated derby. However, it is unclear whether Patrik Schick will be ready to play again after a hard foul. After half-time, the striker stayed in the dressing room and later left the stadium limping. Interim coach Rogier Meijer reported a large wound on his ankle.
Against Cologne, where the focus is primarily on shooting star Said El Mala, the Werkself still want to prove that they can overcome setbacks and show character as a team. The Domstadt team recently failed to win four games in a row for the first time under coach Lukas Kwasniok. Bayer 04 want to fulfill the fans’ request with passion and determination and celebrate as derby winners under the floodlights on Saturday evening.