Leverkusen beat Cologne 2-1 as Garcia free-kick and Schick end slump

📰 Leverkusen won the Rhine derby at Cologne 2-1 through Aleix Garcia and Patrik Schick. 📌 Key points ✅ Leverkusen won 2-1 at Cologne on 8 November. 🎯 Aleix Garcia scored from a direct free-kick of around 23 metres after seven minutes. 🇨🇿 Patrik Schick added the second in the 85th minute from Ibrahim Maza's pass. 🙅 Schick had a goal chalked off earlier for handling. 🧨 Said El Mala pulled one back on 90+2 from his brother Malek's cross. 📝 What happened ⚽ Garcia's early free-kick gave Leverkusen the lead. Cologne's Linton Maina and Sebastian Sebulonsen both had chances, but Mark Flekken and the defence held. 🖐️ Schick saw a goal ruled out for using his hand in the build-up, before finishing into the left corner from Maza's pass in the 85th. 🔥 El Mala pulled one back in stoppage time with a cross from his brother, but Cologne could not find an equaliser. 📊 By the numbers • Garcia free-kick: about 23 metres, 7th minute • Schick winner: 85th minute, Maza assist • Leverkusen on 16 points • Cologne on 9 points, with their coach under pressure 🔭 Why it matters Leverkusen had lost two Bundesliga games and a Europa League game before the derby. They host Paderborn on 21 November, while Cologne travel to Bayern on 20 November.