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)
Calling all Werkself fans: Even during the three-week international break – a first for September and October – you have the chance to visit the BayArena – and for a very special occasion. Bayer 04 is hosting a Health Day on Saturday 3 October, from 10:00 to 14:00 CEST in the Premium Lounge. Together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, the Bundesliga club invites you to an interactive, free event centred on the theme of health. Partners will be present on site with their own exciting activities. Here is an overview of the programme of events.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 2-1 win at SC Freiburg on Matchday 5 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-0 win against RB Leipzig on Matchday 4 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season...
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Bayer 04 produced an impressive display from start to finish as they maintained their perfect home record this season with a 2-0 win over RB Leipzig on Bundesliga Matchday 4. Patrik Schick opened the scoring just before half-time, with Miguel Gutiérrez getting his first Werkself goal to wrap up the three points at the BayArena, where fans also got to enjoy the family matchday activities.
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Bayer 04 Women made it a perfect three wins from three away games in the 2026/27 Google Pixel Bundesliga after Estrella Merino Gonzalez struck a late winner at Freiburg on Sunday. Cornelia Kramer had earlier scored an own goal for the hosts before making amends with a penalty at the right end before the hour mark.
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