Werkself review #KOEB04: Six wonderful minutes

SUMMARY: HRADECKY KEEPS BAYER 04 IN THE GAME

After a decent start, the Werkself faced a dominant FC Köln side who deservedly took the lead before half-time with an excellent volley from Benno Schmitz on the half-hour mark. The hosts initially had more chances at the start of the second half and Bayer 04 had to thank captain and keeper Lukas Hradecky for keeping out a shot from Jonas Hector with a spectacular flying save as he tipped the ball onto the bar as well as an effort from Sargis Adamyan heading for the corner of the net. The Black and Reds stayed in the game – and turned it round within six minutes. First, substitute Nadiem Amiri scored the equaliser from a free kick (65') with a decisive deflection off Kingsley Schindler and then Bayer 04 produced proof of their brutal strength in counter-attacks: Moussa Diaby won the ball from an FC Köln corner under pressure from Schindler and then set Jeremie Frimpong off flying down the wing. He shook off Hector in the penalty area and set up Diaby for a tap-in at 2-1 (71'). FC Köln came close to equalising with a header against the bar by Steffen Tigges (82') but the Werkself held on for the win: HERE is the match report.

REACTION: "AN INSTRUCTIVE GAME"

Robert Andrich  was unable to wipe the smile off his face. "We came back from going behind and that in the derby in Cologne. I think there's nothing better for our fans today," said the midfielder and added beaming: "It's also feels great for us to have won twice on the bounce again." There was also massive joy for Callum Hudson-Odoi who talked about a "big win" after his first derby. Coach Xabi Alonso assessed the victory as follows: "This win is very important to us. The first half wasn't good. Our energy was better in the second half and the players who came off the bench were important too. It was instructive game for us and now we have to carry on."

PERSONNEL: AMIRI ENDS DROUGHT

Hats off to anybody who has such credit up their sleeve: With three substitutions on the hour mark, Xabi Alonso ensured that the balance of power on the Köln pitch changed again. In particular, Nadiem Amiri made an outstanding contribution to the turnaround by winning a free kick just outside the box and then firing the ball into the back of the net for the equaliser. It was the first Bundesliga goal for Amiri in 15 months. Moussa Diaby has drawn level with Jeremie Frimpong in the Bayer 04 goalscorers list with his winner. Both now have five goals to their credit. The Frenchman has netted his in the last six games. Robert Andrich will miss the game against VfB Stuttgart on Saturday as the midfield enforcer picked up his fifth yellow card in Cologne.

STATS: HOSTS ON TOP

The fact the numbers in the derby favour FC Köln, who set the pace initially, may be completely immaterial to the Leverkusen players. FC Köln had their noses in front both with shots on goal (19 to 10) as well as possession (58.5% to 41.5%) and also dominated in the number of completed passes (557 compared with 399 for the Werkself). Bayer 04 did have a slight advantage in duels won with 51% to 49%.

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY: "SUBSTITUTION LEADS TO TURNAROUND"

"Leverkusen needed two moves in six minutes to turn the game around and win 2-1," reports the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger and the journal gives top marks in the individual assessments to both Lukas Hradecky ("Kept his team from going further behind with excellent saves") and Nadiem Amiri ("On fire straight after coming on"). The Kölnische Rundschau witnessed "an extremely unlucky defeat" for the Cologne team. "Köln had a tight grip on Bayer – and still lost the derby," was the view of the Express. "Kicker also highlights the role of the Werkself coach in the victory: "Alonso’s triple substitution led to the turnaround."

OUTLOOK: HOME TO VFB TO FINISH OFF

One final effort and then football in 2022 is over for Bayer 04, at least in terms of competitive matches: The Werkself entertain VfB Stuttgart at the BayArena on Saturday 12 November with the kick off at 15.30 CET. A home win against the Swabians could see ground made up in the table. Leverkusen head off on a five-day trip to the USA the day after the clash with VfB and that will include a friendly against St. Louis CITY Soccer Club on 16 November.