SC Freiburg 2-3 Bayer Leverkusen – Xabi Alonso’s side restore 10-point advantage over Bayern Munich with win
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Updated 17/03/2024 at 18:35 GMT
Bayer Leverkusen beat a spirited Freiburg 3-2 in the Bundesliga to restore their 10-point advantage over Bayern Munich at the top of the table. The Bavarians had reduced the deficit at the top of the table to seven points courtesy of a 5-2 win against bottom-of-the-table Darmstadt on Saturday. However, goals from Florian Wirtz, Adam Hlozek and Patrik Schick were enough to secure the win.
Florian Wirtz and Granit Xhaka of Leverkusen celebrate the victory during the Bundesliga match between Sport-Club Freiburg and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Europa-Park Stadion on March 16, 2024 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Image credit: Getty Images
Bayer Leverkusen restored their 10-point lead over Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga as they continued their inexorable march to a first German title with a merited 3-2 away win against a spirited Freiburg.
After Bayern reduced the gap to seven points with a 5-2 victory at Darmstadt on Saturday, Xabi Alonso's relentless side responded in style with another accomplished display that extends their remarkable unbeaten run to 38 matches in all competitions.
Fine goals from Florian Wirtz (2'), Adam Hlozek (40') and Patrik Schick (53') helped Leverkusen quell the fire of Freiburg, who had restored parity at 1-1 before Yannik Keitel set up a grandstand finish with his first Bundesliga goal on 79 minutes.
But Leverkusen – who are also through to the last four of the DFB Cup and last eight of the UEFA Europa League – deserved the three points ahead of the international break.
They need another 15 points from their remaining eight fixtures to claim the title having so far dropped only eight points over the whole campaign.
Talking Point: Only a matter of time before Leverkusen win title
Once dubbed 'Neverkusen' for finishing second in the Bundesliga five times, Alonso's vibrant team suddenly never know when they are beaten.
They are coasting towards the Bundesliga title, and must be serious contenders to claim a historic treble at home and abroad such is the quality of passing and finishing that they enjoy.
Unless there is a collapse of epic proportions after the international break, there is also every chance they will go through this astonishing landmark league campaign undefeated.
Player of the Match: Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)
Restored to the starting line-up, the imposing Czech forward followed up his superb late match-winning double against Qarabag in the UEFA Europa League last 16 with another sublime finish early in the second half that appeared to hit two posts before nestling in the net. Knocked the stuffing out of the home side, who had offered plenty of resistance until that point.
Player Ratings
Freiburg: Atubolu 7, Sildillia 6, Ginter 6, Gulde 6, Günter 7, Dōan 7, Höfler 6, Röhl 6, Grifo 6, Sallai 6, Höler 6 Subs: Lienhart 6, Keitel 7, Muslija 6, Philipp 6, Gregoritch 6
Bayer Leverkusen: Hrádecký 6, Stanišić 7, Tah 7, Hincapié 7, Frimpong 7, Xhaka 8, Palacios 7, Grimaldo 7, Hložek 7, Wirtz 8, Schick 8 Subs: Tapsoba 6, Andrich 6, Tella 6, Adli 6
Match Highlights
2' GOAL! FREIBURG 0-1 LEVERKUSEN (WIRTZ) What a stunning start by the visitors. 20-year-old Florian Wirtz takes the ball inside the home box before slamming a wonderful swerving shot into the corner of the net. 1-0 inside 90 seconds. Glorious.
10' GOAL! (DOAN) FREIBURG 1-1 LEVERKUSEN Would you believe it. Home side have hardly been up pitch, but they score with their first attack of the game as Ritsu Doan plays a neat one-two with Lucas Höler before cutting into the visiting area and drilling a low shot into the corner of the net. We are level at 1-1. Game on.
40' GOAL! FREIBURG 1-2 LEVERUSEN (HLOZEK) Keeper Noah Atubolu all over the place in trying to gather the loose ball under pressure from Patrik Schick. Breaks nicely to Adam Hlozek and he thumps the finish into the empty net. And it is a 2-1 lead for the leaders.
53' GOAL! FREIBURG 1 LEVEKUSEN 3 (SHICK) Brilliant goal from the visitors as Shick arrives to slide the ball into the net via a post from the Frimpong cross. Brilliant finish and cross just as good. Plenty of work to do, but made that look easy. And it is 3-1 for the Bundeliga pacesetters.
79' GOAL! (KEITEL) FREIBURG 2-3 LEVERKUSEN Still life in this match as Keitel sees his initial attempt stopped by Lukas Hradecky. Can't hold the shot and Keitel follows up to ram home the rebound. His first Bundesliga goal. Sloppy defending. Back to 3-2.
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