Bundesliga: Bayer Leverkusen takes the next step towards the title in Freiburg

Bayer Leverkusen continues its path towards the championship in the German League: it was not affected by the victory of its rival Bayern Munich, the leaders beat Freiburg.

On Sunday (March 17, 2024), Bayer Leverkusen maintained the lead with a score of 3:2 (2:1). Leverkusen's goals were scored by Florian Wirtz (second minute), Czech Adam Hlozek (40th minute) and Patryk Cech (53rd minute). Rizzo Doan (10th) equalized for Freiburg in the meantime, and Yannick Kittel's next goal (79th) did not change SC's defeat.

Bayer Leverkusen strengthens the club's records

Eight days before the end of the season, Werkself maintained a ten-point lead over Munich, who had beaten bottom club Darmstadt the day before. 15 points out of a possible 24 are still enough for Leverkusen to achieve a great victory.

This was the 38th consecutive unbeaten official match for Bayer 04. Leverkusen still holds the treble. B04 reached the semi-finals of the German Cup and the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Leverkusen's Wirtz ensures Bayer gets off to a good start

“Werkself” got off to the perfect start. The game had just begun when the Werkself team launched its first counterattack. Alejandro Grimaldo sent Wirtz on his way, who beat Matthias Ginter and Nicolas Hoeffler and slotted the ball into the corner.

But after that, Freiburg gave noticeably little space to Bayer 04 and they pressed in a controlled manner. He was actually rewarded with an early equaliser. Duane made a strong attack down the right side and headed into the penalty area, and after exchanging the ball with Lukas Höller, he slotted the ball into the net to make the score 1-1.

A well-adjusted Freiberger side made things difficult for the leaders, but in the end the Werkself lead in the first half, which Hlozek, who had just moved into the starting line-up, after an error by SC goalkeeper Noah Atopoulou, took advantage of, was good for clear field advantages and chances. Best (8: 5 shots on goal).

Patrik Schick scores a magical goal

After the start of the second half, the match continued in the direction of the visitors from the Rhineland. Hlozek also made a good impression up front and made the most of his opportunity in the starting lineup.

Leverkusen's third goal was scored by his teammate Cech: The Czech allowed Jérémie Frimpong's cross to slide over the net with great technique and thus shot it over Atopolo in the Freiburg penalty area. The ball bounced off both posts and then went in. The VAR briefly checked again for a possible offside situation, but there was nothing to complain about.

However, anyone who wrote off the Breisgauers has been proven wrong. SC coach Christian Streich brought in two new players from the bench, Florent Muslija and Michael Gregoritsch (61), then Maximilian Filip and Jannik Kittel (76) came into the attack.

Freiburg's Joker Kittel makes it exciting again

The latter made things more interesting with Target. After a brilliant pass from Muslia, Kittel only missed a duel with Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, but the Finn let the ball bounce forward and Kittel pressed to make it 2-3. Leverkusen took the lead as time went on and secured three more important points in the title race.

Freiburg v Gladbach, Leverkusen v TSG

Freiburg will play Borussia Mönchengladbach after the international break. Bayer Leverkusen hosts Hoffenheim (both matches Saturday, March 30 at 3:30 p.m.).