2-1 Against Freiburg: Maza Works His Magic, Schick Delivers!

There are Sundays when you just want to sit back, relax, and enjoy three comfortable points as a Bayer Leverkusen fan. And then there are Sundays when Bayer 04 actually play football. Heavy breathing, head-shaking, and dangerously high blood pressure apparently come free with the ticket. Still, a deserved 2-1 victory over SC Freiburg was the perfect follow-up to our impressive 4-0 win in Poznań. Slowly but surely, this Werkself is becoming fun to watch again!

Before the football even started, we were treated to an unexpected tennis tournament. Freiburg supporters threw tennis balls onto the pitch to protest restrictions on fan equipment. Even their own coach, Julian Schuster, wasn't amused. Fair enough, protest all you want, but perhaps next time choose a sport that's actually on the schedule.

Once the football finally began, Freiburg demonstrated why they had arrived unbeaten. Bayer struggled to find their rhythm, and after 14 minutes, Derry Scherhant put the visitors ahead. Of course! Why make life easy when you can make it complicated?

Fortunately, we have Ibrahim Maza. Just six minutes later, he equalised following excellent work from Patrik Schick. This young man continues to impress me with his technique, confidence, and creativity. While others are still deciding where to pass, Maza has already beaten three defenders.

The rest of the first half was hard work. Freiburg defended intelligently, while Bayer lacked the finishing touch. Schick at least struck the post. After the break, we gradually took control, but that decisive moment seemed frustratingly elusive.

Then came the 76th minute. Maza danced past three Freiburg defenders as if they'd only just discovered what football boots were for, before setting up Schick perfectly. 2-1! And what a historic goal it was. Schick has now scored in each of the opening six Bundesliga matches, a new club record! Perhaps we should simply award him a goal before kick-off from now on.

Naturally, Tella and Maza had opportunities to finish the game off. But why score a comfortable third when you can offer your supporters another near-heart attack in stoppage time? Thankfully, Höler's header went narrowly wide. These lapses in concentration need addressing. Against stronger opponents, they could prove costly.

Nevertheless, I'm increasingly encouraged by our progress under Carles Martínez. After that shaky start to the season, I certainly had my doubts. Now the pressing looks sharper, the combinations are improving, and the team is showing real character. We're far from perfect, but we're heading in the right direction.

Next up are trips to Crete and Hoffenheim. Two away games and two opportunities to build momentum. I'm certainly not planning a championship parade after six matchdays, but this Werkself is giving me reasons to believe again.

Three points, a Schick record, and a magnificent Maza. Not a bad Sunday at all! Now, if we could just start winning without putting our supporters through cardiac stress tests, I'd be completely satisfied.