Bayer Leverkusen – Freiburg: Poku’s Brilliance and Short-Corner Mastery Secure a Statement Win (2-0)

Bayer Leverkusen responded emphatically to their mid-week European 7-2 humbling by the hands of Champions League winner PSG, securing a vital 2-0 victory against a resilient SC Freiburg side at the BayArena. The win, Leverkusen's fourth consecutive in the Bundesliga, was a testament to their domestic focus and tactical discipline, with Ernest Poku and Edmond Tapsoba providing the goals. The match was decided by a moment of individual brilliance in the first half and a perfectly executed set-piece immediately after the break.

Tactical analysis and match report by Aderemi Qoyum

Leverkusen, under Kasper Hjulmand, needed a swift mental and tactical recovery after a heavy Champions League defeat. They faced a Freiburg side, managed by Julian Schuster, who entered the match domestically unbeaten since Matchday 2 and determined to stifle the high-flying hosts.

Bayer Leverkusen lined up in a dynamic 3-4-2-1 system that featured: Mark Flekken in goal; Jarell Quansah, Louis Bade, Edmond Tapsoba formed a solid back three; Aleix García, Equi Fernández as the central midfielders, Arthur and Alejandro Grimaldo (c) as wingbacks; Jonas Hofmann, Ernest Poku; and Cédric Kofané in attack.

Julian Schuster set up SC Freiburg in their familiar 4-2-3-1 shape with: Noah Atubolu in between the sticks; Lukas Kübler, Matthias Ginter, Philipp Lienhart, Noah Makengo as the back four; Maximilian Eggestein (c) was joined by Johan Manzambi in the pivot; a trio of Patrick Treu, Lucas Höler, and Derry Scherhant behind Christian Adamu.

Freiburg's defensive block

The early tactical battle saw Leverkusen attempt to break down a rigid . . .