Bayer Leverkusen go top as Schick and Maza sink Freiburg

Patrik Schick and Ibrahim Maza drove Bayer Leverkusen's 2-1 win over SC Freiburg, and the ratings tell the same story as the scoreline. Schick finished on 8.7, Maza on 8.5, the two best numbers in the match, after Leverkusen came from behind to hand Freiburg their first Bundesliga defeat of the season. The result sends Leverkusen to the top of the table.

The two moments that changed the match

This game started badly for Leverkusen. Derry Scherhant put Freiburg ahead in the 14th minute, giving the visitors exactly the kind of start they would have wanted after an unbeaten opening five league matches.

Leverkusen answered quickly. Maza scored in the 19th minute, and that reset the match before Freiburg could settle into protecting a lead. In a game that stayed tight for long spells, that equaliser was a big swing.

SPORT1's match report, in comments translated from German, summed up the key turns clearly: "Jürgen Klopp's DFB discovery Derry Scherhant (14.) scored for Freiburg, who will host the victorious Bayern München side (6:1 against RB Leipzig) next Sunday for the summit clash. Ibrahim Maza (19.) and Patrik Schick (76.) turned the game around and ensured Leverkusen's fifth competitive victory in a row."

Schick's winner arrived in the 76th minute, and it felt fitting that it came from Leverkusen's standout forward on the day. He was the highest-rated player in Bayer Leverkusen vs SC Freiburg with 8.66, while Maza followed on 8.54.

Schick's form and Leverkusen's table swing

Schick's winner was his sixth Bundesliga goal of the season, which gives the finish more weight than a one-off big moment. Leverkusen needed a forward in form to settle a match between two sides who had started the campaign strongly, and he did exactly that.

There was not much margin in the contest. SPORT1 reported, in translated comments from German: "Otherwise, the defensive lines allowed little. Both teams, who will be called upon again in European competition during the week, met each other on equal terms. Freiburg tried to control the game, Leverkusen countered strongly on occasions."

That reads like the kind of match decided by individual quality, and Leverkusen had more of it in the decisive moments. Freiburg came in with 14 goals scored and only 4 conceded in the league before kickoff, so breaking them down twice was not a routine job.

The result also carries obvious weight in the table. Leverkusen are now first in the Bundesliga, while Freiburg drop to third after their first defeat. Freiburg had made eight changes following their Conference League win against FK Jablonec, but the bigger issue here was that Leverkusen's best players settled the key moments better.

Leverkusen have also won five competitive matches in a row, which gives this comeback a bit more substance than a single good afternoon. Freiburg now head into next Sunday's meeting with Bayern München after losing their place at the top, while Leverkusen finish the weekend there.