Bayer Leverkusen recovered from an early setback to defeat Freiburg 2-1 in the Bundesliga. The hosts were level before the 20-minute mark and later went in front in the 76th minute, even though the scorer of that goal was not listed in match data.

Match Summary

Freiburg struck first. An away goal after 14 minutes put Leverkusen behind and asked an immediate question of the home side. The reply arrived almost at once. Ibrahim Maza equalized in the 19th minute, so the opening burst ended even rather than with the visitors in control of the afternoon.

The rest of the first half was more contained. Philipp Treu was shown a yellow card in the 39th minute, the only booking of the match. Neither team added another goal before the interval, and they went in level at 1-1.

After the restart the home side kept looking for a second. They found it in the 76th minute. Match data did not list a scorer for that strike, but it put Bayer Leverkusen in front at 2-1. Freiburg still had time to respond and continued to work for an equalizer. They did not find one. The official result stayed 2-1 through the closing stages, and Leverkusen took the three points.

Key Moments

The opening spell mattered because Freiburg's lead forced Leverkusen to chase and briefly handed the visitors the initiative. Leveling so soon afterwards stopped that deficit from lasting and brought the home side back onto even terms with most of the match still ahead.

The later swing decided the points. Once the hosts led after 76 minutes, Freiburg had a shrinking window and only two shots on target all afternoon. Treu's yellow remained the only card. There were no reds, so both teams finished with 11 players and the second home goal stood as the difference.

Match Statistics

The numbers lined up with a narrow home win more than a rout. Leverkusen outshot Freiburg 12 to 10 and put five attempts on target to two. Expected goals told a similar story, 1.59 against 0.86. Corners were close at four to three in favor of the hosts. Freiburg collected the only yellow card. Neither side saw a red.

See also

• Bayer Leverkusen vs Freiburg live score
• AltBets live scores
• AltBets tips
• Match recaps