Leverkusen rally past Freiburg as Schick seals win
Bayer Leverkusen beat Freiburg 2-1 at the BayArena after falling behind to Derry Scherhant's 14th-minute goal. Ibrahim Maza equalized in the 19th minute, and Patrik Schick netted the winner in the 76th minute from a Maza assist. The result made Schick the only Leverkusen player to score in each of the opening six matches of a Bundesliga campaign.
Freiburg arrived at the BayArena atop the table after taking a club-best 13 points from their first five league fixtures. Julian Schuster altered only one starter, bringing in Keisuke Gotō for the suspended Yuito Suzuki.
Leverkusen boss Carles Martínez rotated five players from a midweek Europa League match, recalling Patrik Schick, Afonso Moreira, Moussa Diaby, Jarell Quansah and Facundo Medina. Schick's late finish, set up by Ibrahim Maza, made him the sole Leverkusen player to score in each of a Bundesliga season's first six games.
Leverkusen's comeback may lift supporter morale and sustain interest in the title race, while Freiburg's setback after a strong start could temper expectations among their fans. For broadcasters, sponsors, and local businesses around the BayArena, a competitive Bundesliga with multiple contenders could draw larger audiences and matchday spending. Schick's scoring run may also boost his profile and merchandising appeal, though one result is unlikely to reshape broader social trends.