The ‘pharmacists’ secured the victory with goals from Jeremie Frimpong (38 minutes) and former Benfica player Grimaldo (73), with the left-back being the top scorer for Xabi Alonso’s team in the Bundesliga.
Grimaldo, who has nine goals and nine assists, not only scored, but was involved in creating the first goal, in a move in which he crossed from the left, Patrik Schick deflected it to the first post and Frimpong opened the scoring.
On Cologne’s side, 16th and second to last placed, the game became even more difficult with Thielmann’s expulsion in the 14th minute, with the forward seeing direct red, after an entry from behind.
Today’s triumph, the sixth in a row and in a season in which they have not yet suffered any defeat in all competitions, leaves Bayer Leverkusen with 64 points in the League, 10 more than Bayern Munich, champions for 11 consecutive seasons.
On Friday, the Bavarians, who will no longer have Thomas Tuchel as coach at the end of the season, did not go beyond a draw at Freiburg (2-2).
At the end of the 24th round, Hoffenheim, seventh, remained in pursuit of the European zone, beating Werder Bremen, eighth, with a double from Maximilian Beier (goals in the eighth and 44th minutes), while the visitors they reduced it through Skelly Alvero (90+2), with the home team already reduced to 10, due to a double yellow from Marius Bulter.