Patrik Schick was on fire for Bayer Leverkusen, scoring four goals as the team thrashed SC Freiburg 5-1 on December 21, 2024. Leverkusen had everything to play for, sitting just four points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, and they certainly delivered on this day.
The game saw Leverkusen confirm their dominance right from the starting whistle. It took only seven minutes for them to create their first opportunity—an ambitious shot from Florian Wirtz went just wide. But it was not until the half-hour mark when the match took a pivotal turn. A foul by Freiburg’s Ritsu Doan on Wirtz led to Leverkusen being awarded a penalty. Wirtz, stepping up to take it, was unfortunately denied by Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu.
The breakthrough finally came just before halftime. Wirtz showcased his playmaking talent, slipping a beautifully weighted through ball to Schick, who calmly chipped it over the advancing Atubolu. Leverkusen headed to the locker room with momentum on their side.
It didn’t take long for the hosts to build on their lead after the break. Just six minutes after the restart, Wirtz demonstrated remarkable skill, dancing through the Freiburg defense and unleashing a precision shot low to the bottom corner, making it 2-0.
Freiburg responded quickly, as Vincenzo Grifo fired back with a curling shot from 16 meters out, making it 2-1 at the 55-minute mark. But Wirtz was not finished; he turned provider again, floating a perfect cross to Schick at the 67-minute mark, who headed it home to restore Leverkusen's two-goal advantage.
Schick then completed his hat-trick just minutes later, reacting quickly to pounce on a rebound from 14 meters. The Czech striker sealed the deal with his fourth goal of the match at the 77th minute, completing what can only be described as a remarkable performance. Freiburg, once again under fire, found themselves struggling to regroup and suffered their fifth defeat of the season.
After the match, Bayer Leverkusen's sporting director, Simon Rolfes, reflected on the team’s performance: "We kept our composure and continued to play relentlessly, and that's a quality we have. We had to show our desire to win."
Off the pitch, discussions surrounding midfielder Florian Wirtz’s future are heating up. Following the match, sporting director Fernando Carro confirmed talks to secure Wirtz’s contract, which currently runs until 2027. Wirtz has made quite the name for himself, attracting interest from several elite clubs, including FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, who are eager to sign the talented midfielder.
Carro expressed the club’s intentions: "Our wish is for Florian Wirtz to play with us for as many years as possible...the chances of...if he renews his contract, something we are trying to do." This message is clear—the club will do everything it can to retain its prized asset.
Meanwhile, Robert Andrich, another Leverkusen player, has created some buzz off the field with his eye-catching hairstyles. Known for regularly changing his look, he sported pink hair during the European Championships and recently appeared with longer, dyed blonde hair. While head coach Xabi Alonso has not publicly commented on these changes, Andrich has his suspicions about his manager's views. "I don't think he likes it because he's rather old-fashioned. When I come in with a new color, I can tell by the look on his face..." Andrich remarked. He added, "If you do things...you have to perform...that's the way football works."
Bayer Leverkusen's recent form and performances have had supporters excited as the team looks to maintain their strong position within the league. With potential signings and contract renewals looming, both the players and fans are eager for what the remainder of the season has to offer. Winning matches with dominant performances like the one against Freiburg will undoubtedly pave the way for future success, offering the promise of silverware and reaffirming the club's status among Germany’s football elite.
