Schick stars as Leverkusen claims key Rhine derby
Bayer Leverkusen edged Rhine derby rival Koln 2-1 thanks to a standout performance from striker Patrik Schick, who boosted his side's UEFA Champions League hopes at RheinEnergieSTADION.
With the race for a fourth-place finish in the Bundesliga heating up, with Stuttgart and Hoffenheim offering stiff competition, Kasper Hjulmand's Leverkusen side began in strong fashion as Schick provided a teaser of what was to come with a long-range effort that struck the outside of the post after just 13 minutes.
Leverkusen was then awarded a penalty four minutes before the break when Eric Martel handled the ball in the box, with the referee's decision upheld after a video assistant referee (VAR) review.
Schick made no mistake from 12 yards out, powering a cool penalty into the bottom left corner to beat Marvin Schwabe.
Koln responded well after the break, with Said El Mala and Jakub Kaminski testing Janis Blaswich, but Schick doubled the lead seven minutes into the second half, drilling Nathan Tella's centre into the bottom corner.
Koln teased a late comeback as El Mala led a swift counter-attack before finding Luca Waldschmidt, whose left-footed effort beat Blaswich down the middle, but Leverkusen was able to hold on for all three points.
