Werkself move up to fourth place after 4-1 win against RB Leipzig

Head coach Kasper Hjulmand made one change to his starting line-up against the Red Bulls compared to last weekend’s 2-1 derby win at FC Köln. Mark Flekken returned in goal in place of Janis Blaswich. The Werkself started on the front foot and proceeded to take control of the game. Patrik Schick, who had been honoured by Ultras Leverkusen and Nordkurve12 for his 100 goals in a black-and-red shirt before the game, had the first effort on goal for Leverkusen early on (3’).

Schick nets deserved opener - Tella doubles lead

Although Aleix Garcia had to clear off the line on 17 minutes, Bayer 04 kept control with over 75 per cent possession. Jarell Quansah went very close to scoring a minute later but the opening goal soon followed: At the end of a perfectly executed counter-attack via Ibrahim Maza and Nathan Tella the latter found Schick, who continued where he had left off in Cologne: 1-0 for the Werkself (25').

The Czech almost scored his next brace just five minutes later, but Leipzig's El-Chadaille Bitshiabu cleared at the last moment. However, the Werkself's second goal came before the break: A Garcia cross found Tella at the far post, and he slotted home (45+1’) - 2-0 at half-time against the league's most in-form team.

after 100 goals: Schick bags hat-trick

Following a brief period of pressure from the Red Bulls, the Werkself had more of the play and almost increased their lead to 3-0 through another Schick effort (53'). The Black and Reds defended the two-goal lead with discipline and repeatedly made attacking moves - a free-kick from Alejandro Grimaldo just missed the target on 73 minutes, as did a Schick shot two minutes later. But the top striker was not to be denied twice and he finished off the next attack with his second goal of the game (76'). Prior to that, Maza had set him up perfectly after a strong solo run.

The visitors now looked for a direct response: Mark Flekken saved from Brajan Gruda after 79 minutes, but was powerless against Christoph Baumgartner's header from close range a minute later - 3-1. The Black and Reds were not deterred, however, remained resolute and counter-attacked effectively again: Schick was of course in the right place once again and he gave the BayArena another reason to cheer with his third goal of the game (89'). With the 4-1 home win, the Werkself have leapfrogged TSG Hoffenheim and VfB Stuttgart into fourth place.

next up: another top match in Stuttgart

VfB Stuttgart, a direct rival in the race to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, provide the opposition next weekend. The kick-off at the MHP Arena is at 15:30 CEST on Saturday, 9 May - away tickets are available HERE. On the final matchday of the current season, the Werkself entertain Hamburger SV in front of a full house at the BayArena. The game is on Saturday, 16 May, with the kick-off at 15:30 CEST.

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Flekken - Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba - Culbreath (Arthur 78’), Palacios, Garcia (Fernández 85’), Grimaldo - Maza (Tillman 85’), Tella (Poku 78’) - Schick (Kofane 90+3’)

RB Leipzig: Vandevoordt - Baku, Orbán, Bitshiabu (Lukeba 46’), Finkgräfe (Henrichs 84’) - Baumgartner, Seiwald (Ouedraogo 65’), Schlager - Diomande, Romulo (Harder 65’), Nusa (Gruda 46’)

Goals: 1-0 Schick (25'), 2-0 Tella (45+1’), 3-0 Schick (76'), 3-1 Baumgartner (80'), 4-1 Schick (89')

Yellow cards: Tillman - Finkgräfe, Schlager, Baumgartner

Referee: Tobias Welz (Wiesbaden)

Attendance: 30,210 (sold out) at the BayArena