Maza, Schick help Leverkusen beat Freiburg

Bayer Leverkusen's Ibrahim Maza and fellow forward Patrik Schick played crucial roles in their 2-1 victory over in-form Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Sunday. Leverkusen, who suffered a shock defeat to promoted Elversberg in their season opener, have since collected 13 of the possible 15 points and currently hold fourth place, level with Freiburg on points but trailing on goal difference. Champions Bayern Munich, who face Freiburg next weekend, are leading the table.

Schick opened the scoring in the 14th minute, becoming the first Leverkusen player to score in each of the first six matches of a Bundesliga season. Freiburg, managed by Germany coach Jurgen Klopp, entered the match under the scrutiny of the German national team coach.

Just five minutes later, Freiburg took the lead through Derry Scherhant, who was recalled to the Germany squad for the first time in October. However, Schick quickly equalized with a smart one-two pass to Maza, who directed a precise shot into the net. Schick nearly missed his second goal opportunity when he hit the post in the 60th minute, but Leverkusen held on to secure their win in the 15th minute when Maza danced past several defenders before providing the perfect assist for Schick to score the crucial winning goal.