26th matchday
Wirtz stands out: Leverkusen continues on the way to the title
Bayer Leverkusen clinched their next victory in Freiburg. photo
© Tom Weller/dpa
Bayer’s triumph continues. Florian Wirtz scored early in a fast game against Freiburg, Patrik Schick was technically demanding. The lead over FC Bayern remains comfortable.
Almost as a matter of routine, the Leverkusen team took note of the next record in their sensational season. Coach Xabi Alonso gave his players a quick high five, the outstanding one Florian Wirtz smiled briefly – there were no stronger emotions to be seen immediately after Bayer’s 3:2 (2:1) win at SC Freiburg.
The sovereign Bundesliga table leaders had just celebrated their 22nd win of the season – Bayer had never achieved so many in a Bundesliga season before. The lead over pursuers FC Bayern Munich remains ten points ahead of the remaining eight match days.
“Because we win a lot of games,” Wirtz answered in the DAZN interview when asked why it was so much fun at Bayer Leverkusen at the moment: “That’s why we play football: that we win. That’s also what’s fun.”
Wirtz puts Bayer in the front early
However, managing director Simon Rolfes struggled with a phase in the first half, “we didn’t play as precisely and didn’t build up as much pressure, which was better in the second half,” he said. Rolfes has mixed feelings about the upcoming international break. “For me personally it’s a somewhat relaxed two weeks,” he said and added: “We have so many national players, so it’s important that they all stay healthy.”
Freiburg is in danger of losing contact with the European Cup places. “We actually played a good game, but the three goals we conceded were too easy,” said Nicolas Höfler.
Wirtz had already given the guests the lead in the second minute. After Ritsu Doan’s equalizer (10th), Adam Hlozek (40th) scored again for Leverkusen in front of 34,700 spectators. Patrik Schick, who had already been celebrated three days earlier as the match winner in Bayer’s spectacular last-minute advance against Karabakh Agdam in the Europa League, added something worth seeing (53′). Yannik Keitel shortened the score again for Baden (79′).
The 20-year-old Wirtz, once again one of the big assets in the game for coach Xabi Alonso’s team, scored with the first attack. The offensive man put a nice shot into the far corner. “Finally a good shot,” said Wirtz with a smile after the game.
Schick scores after the break
And the brisk initial phase wasn’t everything. Even after Freiburg’s quick equalizer by Doan, who deliberately pushed the ball into the bottom right corner, things continued to be entertaining. Bayer had a lot of possession, but SC also had their chances as a result of switching situations.
SC coach Christian Streich, who had announced a decision about his future at the beginning of the week, loudly encouraged his team from the sidelines. But then Bayer struck again. As a result of an unsuccessful rescue operation by Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, the ball ended up at Hlozek – and he scored to make it 1-2.
The second half also started as desired for Leverkusen, who are still unbeaten in 38 competitive games this season. Center forward Schick sent a cross from Jeremie Frimpong from the right side with a fine foot, but also a bit of luck, to the left inside post – from there the ball jumped into the net.
The Freiburg team, who have only won one of the last eight league games and crashed out of the Europa League at West Ham United (0-5) on Thursday, did not give up. Substitute Keitel scored in the follow-up and made things exciting again.