Bosz ahead of derby: ‘Definitely end the match with eleven players’

"We've got so many games at the moment that you almost can't enjoy it. We did recovery work yesterday and today our focus is on Köln," explained Peter Bosz at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday. The Dutchman is determined not to sit back on the current wave of success and he will probably again be able to call on Kerem Demirbay (return after Covid-19 infection) against FC Köln. "We've only played eleven games. It's difficult to get to the top spot. But it's even more difficult to stay there."

If the Werkself want to hold onto that position then they will very probably need a win against the rivals from the other side of the Rhine. But that is anything but easy as FC Köln have picked up seven points from their last three league games – also thanks to a change of system under head coach Markus Gisdol. Bosz on that: "We are prepared for all scenarios. FC Köln have changed their system – from a back four to a back five – and they've been very successful with that. Accordingly, I’m assuming they won't change that against us."

In the last away game at Köln in the middle of December 2019 , the Werkself were down to ten men from 62 minutes – and down to nine in the closing stages – and they had to accept a painful 2-0 defeat. "Of course, it's a derby and there's lots of emotion in the game but we want to finish the match with eleven players on the pitch. That makes it easier to win games. We've seen that in the past," said Bosz, whose team had to play with a man down for a long time in the only defeat of the season so far away to Slavia Prague following a debatable red card shown to Karim Bellarabi.

Wirtz’ first game away at former club

When the Black and Reds played their last away game in Müngersdorf, Florian Wirtz was still playing for the Cologne club. The 17-year-old up and coming talent signed fur Leverkusen in January and the rest of the story is history: third youngest Bundesliga player and youngest goalscorer of all time. "Flo is very young and has only just started in the Bundesliga," declared Bosz who is well aware of the importance of the clash with Wirtz' former club to the teenager. The 56-year-old added: "It will be the first time for him going back to his old club. It will be special but he'll have to do his job as he always does."

And if all the Werkself players successfully do their job in the last two games of the year then, according to Bosz, there will be "more time to enjoy it at Christmas."

Match information:
Broadcasters: Sky and Werks11 Radio
Referee: The match officials will be announced on the day of the game