Bundesliga: Schick hat trick cements Bayer’s lead in the table

Bayer Leverkusen also cemented its lead in the Bundesliga against VfL Bochum with a hat trick from Patrik Schick on Wednesday evening (December 20, 2023). Bayer beat VfL 4-0 (2-0).

It took a penalty kick for Leverkusen to take the lead, which the fouled player, Patrik Schick, converted himself (30th), and it was the Czech who scored for the second time after less than two minutes (32nd). With the third goal before the break, the striker delivered a hat trick (45th + 1). Victor Boniface also got on the top scorer list (69th). Bayer celebrates New Year’s Eve in first place in the table, Bochum is 14th, six points ahead of the relegation places.

“Bayer Leverkusen is the team of the hour,” said Bochum’s Keven Schlotterbeck after the game at the Sportschau microphone, “we tried to do our best. Then you go home with four players – that can happen. Of course we don’t want to, but that’s the way it is.”

Strong start from the guests

Bochum’s start to the game against the league leaders was surprisingly confident. Bayer coach VfL and coach Thomas Letsch seemed to want to take advantage of the hosts’ unusual formation: quick vertical passes put the Werkself defense in trouble on several occasions.

Stanišić had to clear twice in dire need, once against Takuma Asano (9th), and a little later against Christopher Antwi-Adjei (10th). But something countable for VfL? None.

Hardness Penalty decision brings leadership

The current condition of the two teams and their standings in the table became clear after just under half an hour: Leverkusen’s striker Schick ran alone towards the Bochum goal. VfL keeper Manuel Riemann threw himself in Schick’s way and pulled all his extremities back, but the Bayer attacker still fell. It wasn’t an active foul by the goalie – but the undisputable sliding into Schick’s path certainly justified the penalty whistle from referee Daniel Schlager. Schick coolly converted himself, but was lucky that Riemann just missed the loosely kicked ball.

The goal was clearly an effective goal against the Bochum team, who had had legitimate hopes for a more positive game. But in the midst of the shock of the first goal conceded, Schick directed a precise cross from the right from Jeremy Frimpong into the goal. And shortly before the half-time whistle, he was celebrated for a hat trick after his header from a Grimaldo corner from the right.

Bochum’s defense in this game was broken. A goal by Robert Andrich was rightly withdrawn for offside (62′). But then Alonso brought in Boniface, who scored Bayer’s fourth goal about a minute and a half after coming on.

17th matchday: Leverkusen in Augsburg, Bochum against Bremen

After the short winter break, Bayer Leverkusen will play against FC Augsburg on matchday 17 (Saturday, January 13th, 3:30 p.m.), and the Bochum team will host Werder Bremen on Sunday (3:30 p.m.).