“Ten points is a lot, we have to be honest, but it’s not done yet,” Xhaka said. “There are still many, many points to play for and we can’t say it’s decided until it can be worked out mathematically. But we have to stay as we are, stay grounded, keep working and know as a team that we’ll need to collect a few more points.”
Referee Tobias Stieler was busy from the start on Sunday. He sent off Cologne’s Jan Thielmann after a VAR review in the 14th minute for stepping on the back of Xhaka’s ankle, and he booked three more players inside the first Frimpong broke the deadlock in the 37th, converting from close range after some patient buildup play from Leverkusen.
Cologne emerged with more courage after the break and almost equalised in the 51st when Sargis Adamyan struck the right post with a volley.
The home fans did their best to rouse their team as the visitors seemed content to maintain possession without taking too many risks.
But Grimaldo finally sealed the result in the 73rd – again after patient buildup play.
30 minutes as the tackles flew.