Bayer Leverkusen claimed a hard-fought 2-1 Bundesliga victory against 1. FC Köln in Sunday's Rhine derby, ending a three-match winless run across all competitions — though Nigeria's Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella had little impact on the outcome.

Tella remained on the sidelines, still recovering from a muscle injury, while Boniface started the game on the bench. The striker has featured in two Bundesliga outings this season without yet opening his league account.

García sets the tone early

Leverkusen made a dominant opening and were rewarded in the 6th minute when Aleix García broke the deadlock with a composed, controlled strike to put the visitors ahead.

The lead held until the closing stages, when Patrik Schick put the result beyond doubt in the 84th minute. Schick finished off an assist from substitute Ibrahim Maza to give Die Werkself a commanding two-goal cushion.

El Mala brothers combine too late for Köln

Köln refused to give up and mounted a late push through a moment of fraternal chemistry — substitute Malek El Mala found brother Said El Mala, who pulled one back deep into stoppage time at 90+2'.

That goal, however, came too late to spark a genuine comeback. Leverkusen held their shape in the closing minutes and secured all three points, moving on from a difficult recent run of results.