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Schick makes history as Leverkusen fight back to beat Freiburg
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- Schick makes history as Leverkusen fight back to beat Freiburg
Schick makes history as Leverkusen fight back to beat Freiburg
Bayer Leverkusen came from behind to secure a 2-1 Bundesliga victory over Freiburg, with Ibrahim Maza and Patrik Schick turning the game around after Derry Scherhant had given the visitors an early lead.
Here is our full match report for this entertaining Bundesliga encounter:
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Match report: Bayer Leverkusen vs. SC Freiburg
Both sides made a positive start, creating chances at either end while pressing aggressively to win back possession. Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic often drew a central Leverkusen defender out of position, creating space for his teammates to attack the penalty area - and it proved fruitful: Freiburg struck first in the 14th minute.
A well-executed counter-attack down the right saw Jan-Niklas Beste release teammate Philipp Treu, who drove a low ball across the penalty area. Germany international Derry Scherhant was perfectly positioned to turn the ball home and put the visitors ahead.
However, Freiburg's lead lasted just five minutes. Leverkusen worked the ball forward down the right before Patrik Schick, who had scored in each of his previous Bundesliga appearances this season, laid it off perfectly for supertalent Ibrahim Maza. The highly rated youngster made no mistake, slotting the ball into the bottom far corner to restore parity.
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The two former Hertha BSC prospects in Scherhant and Mazahad both made their mark, but the tempo dropped after the equaliser as both teams adopted a more cautious approach before half-time.
Leverkusen emerged with greater attacking intent after the break, enjoying more possession and creating the better opportunities. Freiburg largely sat back and looked to threaten on the counter, making life difficult for the hosts as they tried to find a way through the visitors' defensive structure.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 76th minute, with Maza once again at the heart of the action.The midfielder controlled a high ball superbly before holding off three Freiburg players near the corner flag. He then picked out Schick in space in the middle, allowing the striker to finish and put Leverkusen ahead.
The goal marked Schick's sixth in as many Bundesliga matchesthis season, setting a new Leverkusen club recordfor the most consecutive league games scored in at the start of a campaign.
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Freiburg pushed for a late equaliser, but Leverkusen remained dangerous on the counter-attack as the visitors committed more players forward. The hosts held on to claim all three points and move level on points with Freiburg in the Bundesliga standings.
Final result: Leverkusen 2-1 Freiburg.
