Bayer Leverkusen host Bundesliga leaders SC Freiburg on Sunday in a match that could see them climb to the top of the table. The clash at the BayArena kicks off at 15:30 on the sixth matchday, with Leverkusen currently fourth on ten points, just three behind the leaders from Breisgau. A win would extend their winning run to five games across all competitions.

The team will be without striker Martin Terrier, who suffered a muscle injury in his left thigh during the 4-0 Europa League win at Lech Poznań. An MRI scan scheduled for Friday will determine if the tendon is involved. Sporting director Simon Rolfes said after the match in Poland: "No, no, we must wait until tomorrow to see. He felt a little something." If the tendon is affected, Terrier faces a layoff of several months.

Attacking options

Terrier is the third attacking player sidelined after Elias Ben Seghir and Christian Kofane. Registered number nine Victor Boniface is not yet fit for 90 minutes. This has increased the likelihood of using a false nine. Assistant coach Matthías Martínez pointed to the final minutes of the 4-0 win in Poznań: "In the last minute we created something with two false nines." Malik Tillman and Ibrahim Maza, who scored in Poznań, are being considered for the role. Nathan Tella, who started against Lech, has also played as a central striker under Xabi Alonso before.

The returns of Elias Ben Seghir and Montrell Culbreath to team training are being handled cautiously to avoid setbacks. "It must not go from zero to a hundred," Martínez said.

Schick's scoring form

A key figure remains Patrik Schick. The 30-year-old scored twice from the penalty spot in Poznań and has five goals in five Bundesliga appearances this season. He has eight in eight competitive matches overall. "He knows where the goal is," praised Rolfes, who added that Schick is in top condition. Leverkusen's recent results show their good form: after a 2-2 draw in Augsburg came four consecutive wins, including a 4-0 victory over Union Berlin and a 4-3 success in Mainz. The last meeting with Freiburg ended 3-3 in March.

A tough challenge

Head coach Carles Martínez, 42, expects a difficult game. "I think the game against Freiburg will be one of the decisive games, because I believe both teams will enter in good form, positive and full of energy," he said. He described the opponent as an aggressive team that knows exactly what they want. Simon Rolfes called Freiburg a side that has done an outstanding job for years and is now solid. "We must try everything to bring the Bundesliga leaders down from the top," Rolfes demanded.

Matthías Martínez labelled the fixture a "top game" to which Leverkusen must respond with their best performance. For him, a starting spot is not a real honour; what matters is which eleven players are on the pitch at the final whistle. A win on Sunday would not only put Leverkusen top but also send a strong message in the title race. The next fixture after Freiburg is scheduled for 25 October.

Further reading: ksta.de