Schick Happens in Cologne: Two Goals, Three Points and a Derby-Sized Heart Attack

Some derby wins feel calm, controlled and almost elegant. This 2-1 victory in Cologne was not one of them. This one felt more like checking your pulse, gripping the sofa and wondering why Bayer 04 can never just make life easy. But honestly: winning in Cologne is always beautiful. Winning five derbies in a row against them? That is no longer a run. That is a tradition.

Leverkusen did not exactly storm into the game like a team carrying a magic wand. Cologne started sharper, more aggressive and, annoyingly, quite dangerous. After the cup defeat against Bayern, it was obvious that this team is not floating through the final weeks of the season. Right now, Bayer are wearing work gloves rather than a superhero cape. Not everything was clean, not everything was convincing, but it was effective. And at this stage of the season, effective is a very underrated word.

The difference, once again, was Patrik Schick. While others were still dealing with derby chaos, second balls and Cologne’s early energy, Schick simply did what proper strikers do: score. First from the penalty spot shortly before half-time, then ice-cold after Nathan Tella’s assist early in the second half. His 100th competitive goal for Bayer 04 is not just a statistic. It is a statement. Schick is not only on fire at the moment; he is basically the fire alarm keeping our Champions League hopes awake.

Still, even through red-and-black glasses, this was not a fully convincing performance. Without Janis Blaswich, who stepped in for the injured Mark Flekken and made several important saves, the afternoon could have become much more uncomfortable. Cologne had chances, hit the post and, after Luca Waldschmidt’s late goal, what looked like controlled game management suddenly became classic derby suffering. Bayer dropped too deep and protected the lead as if someone had forgotten that football matches last 90 minutes, and that Cologne become most annoying exactly when you think they are finished.

The returns of Arthur and Eliesse Ben Seghir were very welcome. In this final stretch, every fresh option could be worth gold. Leipzig, Stuttgart and Hamburg are still waiting, and the fight for Champions League qualification will not be a relaxed walk along the Rhine.

For now, though, one thing matters: derby win. Again. In Cologne. Thank you, Patrik. The cathedral is still standing, but the points are back in Leverkusen.