Bayer Leverkusen picked up a badly needed Bundesliga win on Sunday, beating city rivals Cologne 2-1 at the RheinEnergieSTADION to move up to fifth place with 16 points from nine games. The victory brought some relief after a difficult run in the league that included a 0:3 loss to Hoffenheim and a 2:4 defeat to Stuttgart, results that had raised real questions about Carles Martinez's side. A first-half strike from Aleix Garcia and a late Patrik Schick goal secured the three points, though Cologne made it nervy with a stoppage-time reply.

The derby win steadies the ship, but inconsistency remains the defining feature of Leverkusen's domestic campaign. Europäisch, the picture is sharper: the Werkself had been the only unbeaten side in the Europa League through three matchdays before suffering a 0:1 home defeat to Marseille last Thursday, a result that adds a note of caution to what had been a clean European record.

Off the pitch, the future of Ibrahim Maza is the story that refuses to go away. The 20-year-old told RTL and Sky that playing for Paris Saint-Germain would be "a great dream," comments that landed with considerable weight given PSG's reported pursuit of the Algerian as cover for the injured Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Maza holds a contract until 2030 with no release clause, making any winter move expensive. He has contributed seven goal involvements in 12 appearances this season and remains central to everything Leverkusen do going forward. Next up is a home Bundesliga fixture against Paderborn on 21 November.