FREIBURG, March 18: Patrik Schick scored his first Bundesliga goal in three months as Bayer Leverkusen beat Freiburg 3-2 to stay 10 points clear of Bayern Munich in the German title race on Sunday.
With coach Xabi Alonso rotating his squad after a busy run of games, unbeaten Leverkusen survived a late Freiburg comeback to take another step toward the title.
It was Leverkusen’s 22nd Bundesliga win of the season, breaking the club record. Alonso’s team now has 70 points, just one fewer than Bayern’s title-winning tally from last season.Leverkusen needed less than 90 seconds to take the lead as Florian Wirtz, the 20-year-old attacking midfielder who has been key to the team’s success under Alonso, held off two defenders before curling the ball into the net.
Freiburg soon hit back with a goal from Ritsu Doan, before an error from Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu put Leverkusen back into the lead shortly before halftime.
Trying to cut out a pass, Atubolu gave the ball away to Schick and blocked his shot before Adam Hlozek scored the rebound. Schick extended Leverkusen’s lead with a flick off the post in the 53rd minute off Jeremie Frimpong’s cross. Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky let Freiburg back into the game when he spilled Yannik Keitel’s shot, allowing Keitel to score at the second attempt.That made for a nervy finish for Leverkusen as Freiburg defender Manuel Gulde headed narrowly over the bar at a corner with seconds remaining.
Five wins from Leverkusen’s last eight league games would be enough to give Alonso’s team its first ever Bundesliga title, even if Bayern wins every game. (PTI)
