Bayer Leverkusen delivered a commanding 5-1 victory over Freiburg at the BayArena on Saturday, with Patrik Schick stealing the spotlight with four goals. This match solidifies Leverkusen's pursuit of the Bundesliga title, keeping them just four points behind leaders Bayern Munich after the latter's own 5-1 win over RB Leipzig the night prior.
Leverkusen wasted no time establishing their dominance, controlling possession and applying pressure to Freiburg from the outset. The breakthrough came just before halftime when Schick executed a beautiful lob from the edge of the box, assisted by Florian Wirtz, after starting the play with goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky. The goal marked Schick's opening contribution to the game, and it set the tone for what was to come.
Wirtz, known for his playmaking abilities, doubled the score just six minutes after the restart, slotting home confidently at the near post. Nonetheless, Freiburg managed to pull one back through Vincenzo Grifo, who found the net five minutes later, making it 2-1 and momentarily reigniting hope for the visitors.
But Leverkusen responded emphatically. Wirtz's exceptional performance continued as he laid on another assist, this time delivering a precise cross for Schick to head home and restore the two-goal lead at 3-1. The Czech international wasn't done yet; he added two more goals, completing his hat-trick with another powerful header followed by a fourth goal late on, rounding off the scoring.
This match marked Leverkusen’s eighth consecutive win across all competitions, showcasing their resurgence as serious contenders for the title. Schick’s stellar performance also highlights his increasing influence within the squad under coach Xabi Alonso, who expressed satisfaction with his team's commitment and execution.
According to reports, Schick's exceptional display brought him to nine goals across his last five Bundesliga matches, making him a player to watch this season. "Patrik is really finding his rhythm," Alonso noted post-match, acknowledging the striker's work rate and goal-scoring capabilities.
With this result, Bayer Leverkusen has opened up a clear gap over trailing teams, as they now lead RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt by five points each. With momentum building, expectations are high as they aim to close the gap on Bayern Munich, who have set the pace at the top of the table.
The thrilling encounter highlighted not only Schick’s clinical finishing but also Wirtz's creative genius, leaving Leverkusen’s supporters buzzing with excitement as they look forward to the remainder of the season and the challenges it will present. The fans at the BayArena applauded the team performance, especially Schick's outstanding individual achievement, reminding everyone why he is regarded as one of the club's strengths.
Moving forward, Bayer Leverkusen must continue this form to maintain pressure on Bayern Munich, as their aspirations of returning to the pinnacle of German football hang delicately on such decisive performances. Their next matchday will be another test of strength as they navigate through the latter stages of the first half of the season.
