Patrik Schick moved closer to Bayer Leverkusen’s club record after scoring in a sixth consecutive Bundesliga match during Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Freiburg.
The Czechia international’s 76th-minute winner completed a comeback after Ibrahim Maza had opened the scoring, securing a third successive league victory for Carles Martinez’s side and lifting them to fourth in the table.
Schick’s latest goal set a new Leverkusen benchmark for the start of a Bundesliga season. No other player has scored in each of the first six matches of a campaign for the club.
Dimitar Berbatov scored in Leverkusen’s opening five Bundesliga games in 2005-06, while Stefan Kiessling matched that achievement in 2009-10. Kiessling still holds the club’s overall record, having scored in seven successive Bundesliga fixtures, but Schick is now one match away from equalling it.
The win also highlighted the growing understanding between Maza and Schick. The two players assisted one another’s goals against Freiburg, with Schick registering two goal involvements in a Bundesliga match for the second time this season.
He had previously managed the same feat in September’s game against Union Berlin, when Miguel Gutierrez also recorded two goal involvements.
“It was a lot of fun, especially against such a strong opponent. Huge respect to Freiburg but we showed what we can do,” Maza told DAZN afterwards.
“We played some great football today, but a lot of credit to Freiburg as well. They put in a great performance.
“Schicki and I are building some pretty good chemistry. The more time we spend playing together, the better it gets. It’s going pretty well right now.”
Schick was pleased to have made club history but placed greater importance on Leverkusen’s result, which left them one point behind leaders Bayern Munich.
“I’ve already heard that I’ve broken the record, which obviously makes me very happy,” he said.
“Our result is really important for the table. Freiburg are one of the best teams in the league, so it was a tough game. I’m happy with the result.
“You can see our development. We’re not making the same simple mistakes we were making at the start of the season. A game like this could easily have ended in a draw, so we’re happy today.”
Leverkusen’s next fixture is away to OFI Crete in the Europa League on Thursday. They then return to Bundesliga action on Sunday, when they travel to face Hoffenheim.
