Patrik Schick matched a Bayer Leverkusen club record on Matchday 9, scoring his eighth Bundesliga goal of the campaign and moving to 98 Bundesliga goals overall. It has been a quick climb for Schick, whose start has put the 100-goal mark within reach and given Leverkusen a forward in top form.
Schick's numbers this season
Schick's eight goals have come in 704 Bundesliga minutes, which is a strong return for a striker who has been on the pitch just nine times in the league this season. His 7.99 Bundesliga rating also sits well with the scoring output, and the combination of goals and overall level of performance is why this start has turned into a record match rather than just a hot streak.
The derby winner and what comes next
The latest goal arrived in the Rhine derby, where Leverkusen beat Cologne 2-1 at the RheinEnergieSTADION. Schick scored in the 86th minute after Aleix García's early free kick had opened the scoring, and Saïd El Mala pulled one back in stoppage time.
Schick said after the match, quoted by bundesliga.com: "This is the most important game for the fans, we didn't want to disappoint them again. In a short time we lost three games, so we wanted to pay them back for their support, and today we showed a serious performance. I think everyone is leaving here very happy."
The result was Leverkusen's sixth successive Bundesliga victory over Cologne, while Schick's personal chase is now on 98 league goals. The next milestone is clear enough, and the finish he has already shown on Matchday 9 makes it a realistic target in the weeks ahead.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
