U19s lose 5-4 to Köln in national final despite comeback

Head coach Sergi Runge stuck with the team that beat FC Bayern Munich 4-3 in extra time in the semi-finals, and his charges made a perfect start in front of an impressive crowd at the BayArena. A long kick from goalkeeper Jesper Schlich wasn't dealt with by the FC defence and allowed Artem Stepanov to run through to slot in the opening goal after eight minutes.

Stepanov and Mensah strike, Niang and von der Hitz with braces

Unshaken by the early goal, the visitors then twice went close in a matter of minutes through Kian Hekmat and Youssoupha Niang. The game increasingly became more open, with Francis Onyeka heading narrowly for Leverkusen from a free kick on 16 minutes. After around half an hour, it was another lapse in concentration at the back from Köln that was capitalised on by Runge's side. Kerim Alajbegovic's shot from distance was saved by goalkeeper Mikolaj Marutzki, but he couldn't hold onto it and Jeremiah Mensah was able to poke the rebound in to make it 2-0.

But again Köln didn't let their heads drop. Schlich had to make himself big to deny Fayssal Harchaoui, but he couldn't prevent Niang from burying the rebound. The next attack saw Niang net again after a turnover in midfield - 2-2 after 36 minutes. The Werkself appeared to be completely taken by surprise and Justin von der Hitz turned the screw even more in another quick counter, as the game was turned on its head in the space of four minutes. And it got worse for Leverkusen in first-half stoppage time, with von der Hitz joining Niang in bagging a brace.

Comeback through Onyeka and Alajbegovic, FC respond

The hosts came out of the dressing room with intent and Montrell Culbreath's first-time finish narrowly missed the target. Culbreath then shot straight at the keeper from Pohl's cross. Bayer were eventually rewarded for their efforts in the 66th minute, when Onyeka converted a penalty given for handball. The Werkself pressed on and Alajbegovic levelled the score with a powerful strike past Marutzki (73'). The contest was wide open again now, and although Bayer 04 looked the more likely team to get a winner, Luis Stapelmann headed in from a corner via a slight deflection to put the visitors back in front.

Onyeka and Co battled bravely in the final minutes to get back into the game, but it wasn't to be as the final finished 5-4. Head coach Runge said afterwards: "It's always bitter when you lose a final. It takes a few days to digest. After that, though, we can be proud of a great season. Conceding four goals in 15 minutes was the problem today. Köln have just as much quality, congratulations to them. It's not the end though, there's always the next one. On Wednesday it's the semi-final in the association cup."

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Schlich – Raterink (Kurowski 85'), Natali, Ndi, Kister (Hawighorst 46') – Pohl (Izekor 83'), Onyeka – Culbreath, J. Mensah, Alajbegovic – Stepanov

1. FC Köln: Marutzki –  Friemel, Spitali, Stapelmann, Kotya-Fofana, Harchaoui (Römers 90'+1), von der Hitz, Zimmermann, Niang, Hekmat (Irmiev 84'), Schenten (Chukwukelu 70')

Goals: 1-0 Stepanov (8'), 2-0 J. Mensah (28'), 2-1 Niang (35'), 2-2 Niang (36'), 2-3 von der Hitz (39'), 2-4 von der Hitz (45'+1), 3-4 Onyeka (66' pen), 4-4 Alajbegovic (73'), 4-5 Stapelmann (82')

Yellow cards: Mensah, Alajbegovic / von der Hitz

Referee: Jan Kruse (Ekern)  

Attendance: 24,250 at the BayArena