Bayer Leverkusen's Rhine Derby encounter against Cologne rescheduled
Bayer Leverkusen’s Matchday 31 encounter against Cologne has been rescheduled to allow Xabi Alonso’s side longer time to prepare for their UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg against Roma.
Originally pencilled in for Sunday, 7 May (3.30pm CEST), the Rhine Derby will now take place at the BayArena on the evening of Friday, 5 May (8.30pm CEST). Bayer will travel to Italy to face Jose Mourinho’s Roma the following Thursday. The return leg of Bayer’s semi-final encounter is set for 18 May.
Watch: Leverkusen's win in Cologne on Matchday 14
Goals from Moussa Diaby and Nadiem Amiri helped Leverkusen to a 2-1 win and the Derby bragging rights when they visited Cologne earlier this season.
Alonso’s men - currently sixth in the domestic standings - are pushing hard to achieve European qualification in the Bundesliga, while the Europa League also offers a route into the UEFA Champions League, should Die Werkself manage to lift the trophy, won by Eintracht Frankfurt last season, in Budapest at the end of May.
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