The Super Eagles duo of Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella were missing in action as Bayer Leverkusen secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over 1. FC Köln in Sunday’s Bundesliga Rhine derby.
Tella remains sidelined as he continues recovery from a muscle injury, while Boniface, who started on the bench, has featured twice for Leverkusen this season and is still searching for his first league goal.
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Aleix García put the visitors ahead early with a controlled strike in the 6th minute, capitalizing on Leverkusen’s dominant start to set the tone.
Leverkusen doubled their lead in the 84th minute when Patrik Schick finished off an assist from substitute Ibrahim Maza to put Die Werkself firmly in control.
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Köln substitute Malek El Mala set up his brother Said El Mala, who pulled one back in stoppage time (90+2′).
However, Leverkusen held off the late surge to secure all three points and snap a three-match skid across all competitions.
