Wirtz works magic against Freiburg
Bayer Leverkusen is keen on excitement in the title race
March 17, 2024, 5:25 p.m
In the fight for the first championship in the club’s history, Bayer 04 Leverkusen continues to show no nerves. Xabi Alonso’s team, which is still unbeaten this season, wins at SC Freiburg. Top talent Florian Wirtz once again shows his outstanding quality.
Xabi Alonso said goodbye to Christian Streich with a handshake – then the successful coach of Bayer Leverkusen rushed to the fans to celebrate the next victory. Arm in arm with Florian Wirtz, Alonso celebrated in front of the corner and raised his fist in the air after the 3:2 (2:1) win against the brave SC Freiburg: Leverkusen has taken the next step on the way to their first championship title.
“We clearly dominated the game in the second half and had the better chances. But of course we also had to defend well, Freiburg is extremely strong at set pieces,” said Leverkusen’s managing director Simon Rolfes at DAZN. Eight match days before the end of the season, the Werkself maintained their lead of ten points over record champions Bayern Munich. 15 of the remaining 24 points are certainly enough to win.
Wirtz after 87 seconds, Adam Hlozek (40th) and Patrik Schick (53rd) scored for Leverkusen, who broke further records with the three in Breisgau. In addition to the 38th competitive game in a row without defeat, Bayer has set further club records with its sixth away win in a row and its 22nd win of the season. The goals from Ritsu Doan (10th) and Yannik Keitel (79th) were not enough for the SC.
Wirtz lets it rip right away
The Leverkusen team still has a triple chance. Bayer is in the semi-finals of the DFB Cup and the quarter-finals of the Europa League. After the emotional success against Qarabag Agdam (3-2) last Thursday, Leverkusen will face West Ham United in the round of the top eight in April. The SC clearly failed against the Premier League club from London during the week (0:5).
The 34,700 spectators in the sold-out Freiburg stadium were able to marvel at the performance of “Magic Mouse” Wirtz after just a few seconds. The offensive player gave neither the Freiburg defense nor goalkeeper Noah Atubolu a chance with his seventh goal of the season. The Freiburgers, who had to make do without the suspended Maximilian Eggestein, were only briefly shocked. The Japanese Doan quickly equalized for Christian Streich’s team.
What’s next for Streich?
Shortly before kick-off, the SC coach again pointed out to DAZN that the decision regarding his future should be made public on Monday or Tuesday. After more than twelve years on the SC sidelines, it is still unclear whether the 58-year-old will extend his contract for another season as usual. There is also talk of an end to Streich’s term of office after the end of the season.
In the middle of the first half the score was still 1-1. The Freiburg team kept the encounter completely open. Merlin Röhl even had the lead for the hosts (24th). Bayer acted anything but confidently in this phase. Leverkusen made unusual mistakes in all parts of the team.
In the last minutes of the first half, both teams fought a thrilling duel with an open goal. Atubolu didn’t look good when Hlozek scored. The goalkeeper made a strong save against Exequiel Palacios (45th). At the beginning of the second half, Schick caressed the ball into Freiburg’s goal after Jeremie Frimpong’s preparatory work – both inside posts served as boards for the dream goal. Alejandro Grimaldo could have increased (58′), Leverkusen then dominated the game. However, Keitel created tension again.