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Martin Terrier produced a moment of sheer improvisation as Bayer Leverkusen returned to the Bundesliga’s Champions League places with a 2-0 victory over local rivals Cologne on Saturday.
The reigning champions had slipped to sixth before kick-off after suffering back-to-back league defeats and watching Hoffenheim and Eintracht Frankfurt both collect wins earlier in the day. Under pressure to respond, Leverkusen delivered when it mattered, with Terrier’s audacious no-look backheel opening the scoring before captain Robert Andrich sealed the result with a header.
Sporting director Simon Rolfes admitted the importance of the result, stressing that a response was essential after consecutive losses, not only because of the derby rivalry but also to stabilise Leverkusen’s league position.
The build-up to the Rhine derby was overshadowed by a tense atmosphere, with hundreds of ultras from both clubs opting to boycott the match. A Cologne supporters’ group cited what it described as excessive and intrusive police checks, according to reports from German media.
Leverkusen wasted a gilt-edged opportunity shortly after the break when Malik Tillman broke clear one-on-one with goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe, only to fire over the crossbar. The miss threatened to heighten nerves inside the BayArena, but the breakthrough arrived in spectacular fashion just past the hour mark.
Terrier latched onto a loose pass inside the area and, almost instinctively, flicked a looping backheel over the stranded Schwäbe to finally break the deadlock. Andrich doubled the advantage six minutes later, rising to meet a delivery and head home to put the outcome beyond doubt.
The win lifts Leverkusen back into fourth place and restores some momentum after a brief slump that had raised questions about their title defence.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Eintracht Frankfurt edged Augsburg 1-0 thanks to a stunning individual effort from Ritsu Doan. The Japan international weaved past several defenders midway through the second half before his deflected shot found the net.
Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller admitted his side are showing signs of fatigue as they juggle domestic and European commitments, describing recent months as physically and mentally demanding. Despite Augsburg having two early goals ruled out by VAR, Frankfurt held firm to secure a hard-earned victory that moved them up to sixth.
Hoffenheim continued their strong run of form with a dominant 4-1 home win over Hamburg, recording their sixth victory in eight league matches to remain fifth. Goals from Grischa Prömel, Ozan Kabak, Tim Lemperle and Fisnik Asllani put the game beyond doubt, with Hamburg’s Rayan Philippe scoring a late consolation before missing a stoppage-time penalty.
Wolfsburg’s revival gathered pace as they claimed a 3-1 away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach, inspired by Christian Eriksen. After hovering near the relegation zone for much of the campaign, Wolfsburg have now taken seven points from their last three matches to climb to 13th.
St Pauli also enjoyed a rare moment of relief, ending a long winless run with a 2-1 home victory over Heidenheim, despite being reduced to ten men just before half-time.
