Bayer Leverkusen demolished RB Leipzig 4-1 at the BayArena, with Patrik Schick scoring a stunning hat-trick to dismantle the visitors' five-game winning streak.
Leverkusen came into the match sitting sixth in the Bundesliga table with 55 points from 31 games. Leipzig arrived as third-place challengers, riding an impressive run of five consecutive victories and boasting 62 points. The stage was set for a compelling clash between a resurgent home side and an in-form visitor.
Leverkusen struck first in the 25th minute when Patrik Schick found the back of the net. The forward showed composure to finish after good build-up play from the hosts. Leipzig struggled to respond as Leverkusen controlled the tempo through midfield.
Nathan Tella doubled the home advantage just before half-time in the 45th minute. Tella's goal arrived at a crucial moment, giving Leverkusen a commanding two-goal lead heading into the break. The away side had managed just five shots on target throughout the opening 45 minutes.
At the interval, Leverkusen held a firm grip on proceedings. Their possession statistics read 54 percent, while they had already registered eight shots on target. Leipzig needed to adjust their approach significantly in the second half.
Schick added his second goal in the 76th minute, extending Leverkusen's advantage to 3-0. The striker was proving too much to handle for Leipzig's defense. His clinical finishing kept the hosts firmly in control of the contest.
Leipzig pulled one back through Christoph Baumgartner in the 80th minute. The goal offered brief hope for the visitors, but it proved merely a consolation. Baumgartner's effort came too late to spark any genuine comeback.
Schick completed his hat-trick in the 89th minute to seal a dominant performance. The forward's three goals showcased his clinical finishing and movement in the box. Leverkusen's attacking prowess proved overwhelming throughout the encounter.
The statistics painted a clear picture of Leverkusen's superiority. The hosts generated 4.38 expected goals compared to Leipzig's 1.14. Leverkusen fired 23 total shots with eight finding the target, while Leipzig managed 14 shots with five on goal.
Schick's performance earned him a rating of 9.3, matching teammate Nathan Tella. Tella contributed an assist alongside his goal, while Alejandro Grimaldo orchestrated play with six key passes and earned a 9.0 rating. These three players drove Leverkusen's attacking dominance.
The result ended Leipzig's winning streak and halted their momentum in the title race. Leverkusen moved closer to the European qualification positions with this commanding display. Leipzig will need to regroup quickly as the season enters its final stretch.
