2–1 against Freiburg – Schick sets club record in strong Werkself performance

He’s done it: Patrik Schick also found the back of the net in Bayer 04’s 2–1 win over SC Freiburg on Matchday six of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season – a club record! In what was a high-quality match from the word go, the Werkself were briefly rattled by the visitors’ opener from Derry Scherhant in the 14th minute but fought back with an equaliser from Ibrahim Maza just six minutes later. In the second half, the Black and Reds took control on their home turf and secured a well-earned win through record-holder Schick. In doing do, the Werkself inflicted the first defeat of the season on the club from the Black Forest.

Patrik Schick, Ibrahim Maza und Nathan Tella

Following the 4–0 away win at Lech Poznań in the UEFA Europa League, head coach Carles Martínez made five changes to his starting XI for the match against the Breisgau side. Jarell Quansah and Facundo Medina returned to the back four in place of Lucas Vázquez and Loïc Badé. Up front, Moussa Diaby, Afonso Moreira and Patrik Schick replaced Malik Tillman, Nathan Tella and Martin Terrier.

maza EQUALISES – Schick HITS THE POST

It was immediately apparent that both teams had gained a great deal of confidence at the start of the season. Both the Werkself and SCF battled for the upper hand in midfield, and it was the visitors who got the breakthrough: following a counter-attack down the right, Derry Scherhant slotted home to put Freiburg ahead (14’). However, it took just six minutes for the Black and Reds to strike back. At the end of a fine move involving Diaby and Schick, Ibrahim Maza smashed the ball into the net to level the score (20’). Leverkusen subsequently gained more control of the game and, with some good counter-pressing, rarely allowed the visitors to get into their stride. Schick almost put his side ahead before half-time, but his header struck the post. It meant the teams went into the break with the score at 1–1.

Schick's ReCord-BREAKING GOAL SEALS THE WIN

After the restart, the Black and Reds continued to be the more dangerous side. Attempts from Medina (51’), Moreira (54’) and Schick (59’) all came close to yielding a second goal. It took a quarter of an hour for the Werkself to break through Freiburg’s defensive wall again – and when they did, they set a memorable record: the lively Maza left three players in his wake on the right and found Schick in the centre, who scored to give Leverkusen the lead (76’). This meant the Czech had found the net on each of the first six matchdays of the season – something no other Werkself player had ever achieved before. To mark this milestone, the free shirt printing promotion has been extended. So head to the Bayer 04 online shop now!

SCHICK PROMOTION

And the home side kept up the pressure: both substitute Nathan Tella (83’) and Maza (84’) had chances to put the win beyond doubt. Shortly before the final whistle, the BayArena held its breath once more as Lucas Höler, who’d come off the bench for the visitors, headed just wide (90’+3). And then it was all over: Bayer 04 had beaten SCF to go level on points with the Breisgau side. It was Freiburg’s first defeat of the season in nine competitive matches.

next up: off to crete then Hoffenheim

This Thursday, 22 October (kick-off: 18:45 CEST), Martínez’s side face OFI Crete on Matchday 3 of the league phase of the UEFA Europa League. Then, on Sunday, 25 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), it’s back to the bread and butter of the Bundesliga, when Bayer 04 are away to TSG Hoffenheim in Sinsheim.

The stats:

Bayer 04: Flekken - Quansah, Tapsoba, Medina, Gutiérrez - Fernández, Garcia - Diaby (73' Tillman), Maza (84' Hofmann), Moreira (59' Tella) - Schick

SC Freiburg: Backhaus - Treu (64' Kübler), Ginter, Lienhart, Makengo - Eggestein, Engelhardt - Beste (78' Irié), Goto (64' Höler), Scherhant (89' Grifo) - Matanovic

Goals: 0-1 Scherhant (14'), 1-1 Maza (20'), 2-1 Schick (76')

Yellow cards: Treu

Referee: Florian Badstübner

Attendance: 30.210 (sold out) at the BayArena