Bayer Leverkusen claim Rhine derby victory with 2-1 win over FC Köln

Bayer Leverkusen returned to winning ways in the Bundesliga with a 2-1 victory over local rivals FC Köln at the RheinEnergieStadion on Sunday. Aleix García opened the scoring after seven minutes with a curling free-kick, and Patrik Schick doubled Leverkusen's lead after the break. Said El Mala scored a late goal for Köln, but the visitors held on for the win.

The result snapped Leverkusen's losing streak following consecutive Bundesliga defeats against Hoffenheim and Stuttgart, as well as a Europa League loss to Marseille. Despite late pressure from Köln, Leverkusen controlled large portions of the match and secured all three points in the Rhine derby.