Head coach Xabi Alonso made seven changes to his starting XI compared with the line-up for the 3-2 win against Qarabag in the Europa League three days ago: Lukas Hradecky, Josip Stanisic, Jonathan Tah, Alejandro Grimaldo, Exequiel Palacios, Adam Hloze and Patrik Schick came into the side.Matej Kovar, Odilon Kossounou, Edmond Tapsoba, Robert Andrich, Amine Adli and Borja Iglesias were on the bench with Jonas Hofmann, who went off injured against Qarabag, not in the matchday squad against Freiburg. Bayer 04 made a brilliant start to the game: Grimaldo put Florian Wirt through in the opposition penalty area and the Germany international beat Matthias Ginter and then Nicolas Höfler before curling the ball into the net at the far post – securing an early lead for the visitors (2').
The lead for Leverkusen not last long: Ritsu Doan played a one-two in the Bayer 04 box before putting the ball in the back of the net at the near post leaving Hradecky with no chance to make the save – 1-1 (10'). The game settled down after the blistering start with the next shot on goal coming on 24 minutes but the volley from Merlin Röhl hit the side netting of the Leverkusen goal. Both teams closed down space well and cancelled each other out although the Werkself, as usual, had more of the game and possession than the opponents. A promising counter-attack saw Jeremie Frimpong miss the chance to shoot or lay the ball off to Schick (37’). However, Leverkusen regained the lead three minutes later: Via Wirtz, Grimaldo and Schick, the ball rebounded to Adam Hlozek who was in the right spot to put the ball in the back of the net from close range (40'). The SCF keeper Noah Atubolu kept out Palacios on 45 minutes and Tah two minutes later so Werkself went into the break with a 2-1 lead.
Bayer 04 maintained the pressure after the restart as they pressed for the third goal. And a Frimpong cross was skilfully turned into the net by Schick with the help of the inside of both posts to make it 3-1 (53'). Shortly after that, Grimaldo hit a shot just wide of the upright (58'). The Werkself were in control and Hlozek missed the chance to make it four after good work from Wirtz (75 obviously). Amine Adli then came on for Schick (76'). Freiburg then pulled a goal back: Keitel scored to make it 3-2 with the ball rebounding off Hradecky (79').
A cross from Grimaldo flicked the post, Robert Andrich and Nathan Tella came on for Palacios and Hlozek (83'). Granit Xhaka had a shot from outside the box that Atubolo turned away for a corner (87’). Palacios made way for Edmond Tapsoba (89’). There were four minutes of added time. A header from Manuel Gulde sailed just over the bar (90+4'). Then came the final whistle with Bayer 04 unbeaten in 38 games this season as the 10-point lead over Bayern Munich was restored at the top of the table.
After the international break, Bayer 04 go into Bundesliga Matchday 27: TSG Hoffenheim visit the BayArena on Saturday, 30 March with the kick off at 15.30 CET.
Match stats:
SC Freiburg: Atubolo – Sildillia, Ginter (Lienhart 62'), Gulde, Günter – Röhl (Keitel 76'), Höfler – Doan, Grifo (Muslija 62') – Sallai (Gregoritsch 62'), Höler (Philipp 76’)
Bayer 04: Hradecky – Stanisic, Tah, Hincapie – Frimpong (Tella 83’), Palacios (Tapsoba 89’), Xhaka, Grimaldo – Hlozek (Andrich 83’), Wirtz – Schick (Adli 76’)
Goals: 0-1 Wirtz (2’), 1-1 Doan (10’), 1-2 Hlozek (40’), 1-3 Schick (53’), 2-3 Keitel (79’)
Referee: Harm Osmers (Hannover)
Booked: Höfler
Attendance: 34,700 at the Europa Park Stadium (sold out)
With seven points, Mainz 05 are currently joint seventh, level on points with sixth-placed Bayer 04. In today’s head-to-head clash (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself must be particularly wary of the clinical Mainz strike duo. For Leverkusen fans who have left it to the last minute, there are still a few tickets available from the matchday ticket office. Those following the Black and Reds from home, on the other hand, have a choice: RTL is broadcasting the match on free-to-air TV, and Werkself Radio is also offering the expert commentary of former Bayer 04 player Falko Götz. Today’s matchday news.
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