Lukas Hradecky and Robert Andrich from Bayer Leverkusen see a lot of room for improvement despite the derby win at 1. FC Köln and six points from two games. "I think we're still a long way from the end," said Bayer's midfielder Andrich after the 2-1 (0-1) win in Cologne on Wednesday, which put the supposed Champions League aspirant on four points after 14 games deposed from the relegation ranks. Leverkusen had already won 5-0 against Union Berlin on Sunday.

With only 15 points so far, goalkeeper Hradecky doesn't feel like celebrating either. "None of us played a good first half of the season," said the Finn, who was realistic about the performance in Cologne despite the win. "The first half was pretty bad again," complained Hradecky. "The team's performance in the first half was unacceptable."

In fact, Leverkusen had no chance in Cologne for 60 minutes before two good counterattacks turned the game around. Previously, Cologne had failed to score more than Benno Schmitz's lead (30th minute). According to Hradecky, coach Xabi Alonso's behavior was also a factor in the improvement in performance in the second half, which led to goals from Nadiem Amiri (65') and Moussa Diaby (71'). "Xabi tried to bring some fire into it, he did it," said Hradecky, who reported the Basque's clear words at half-time: "There was a bit of Spanish blood and passion in it. It got louder."

On Saturday, Leverkusen will play their direct competitor VfB Stuttgart on the final day before the World Cup break. Before the landmark game, Bayer, in 13th place, has just one point more than Stuttgart in 15th place.

DFL to the game