The derby in the Bundesliga between Bayer Leverkusen and 1. FC Köln is apparently being brought forward by two days.
As the “kicker” and “bild.de” reported unanimously on Thursday evening, Leverkusen is pushing for the derby to be postponed from May 7th (Sunday) to May 5th (Friday). According to the reports, the German Football League (DFL) and the TV rights holder DAZN have already complied with the request.
The police alone could still prevent a transfer with reference to security concerns, 1. FC Köln should not have the right to object.
More recovery time for Leverkusen
The background is the semi-final first leg in the Europa League between the traditional Italian club AS Roma and Leverkusen on May 11th. Bayer wants to achieve more regeneration time by bringing the game forward.
In the Bundesliga, Leverkusen are still struggling to reach international competition again, 1. FC Köln are practically certain of staying up in the league and no longer have any real chances of winning the European Cup.
So far, the game between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and FC Schalke 04 is scheduled for May 5th. It is still unclear whether the games would be swapped or, exceptionally, two Friday games would take place.
