Bayer dispatch Freiburg
Munich - Strikes in each half from Gonzalo Castro and Philipp Wollscheid gave Bayer Leverkusen a 2-0 win at home to SC Freiburg, as the Werkself banished the demons of last week's defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt with a dominant display.
Easy victory
The home side started brightly and took the lead after just eight minutes.Stefan Kießling made a darting run to the near post and, after his header could only be parried by Freiburg keeper Oliver Baumann, Castro was on hand to bundle the ball home from close range. Christian Streich's team were 2-0 winners in this fixture last season, but Leverkusen were in no mood for a repeat of that scoreline and they piled on the pressure, with the energetic Lars Bender and goalscorer Castro particularly dangerous. Kießling was inches away from connecting to the latter's teasing cross, and then drew a smart stoop from Baumann shortly before the break.
Freiburg may have come out for the second half with a gameplan, but things got worse for Christian Streich's men as they tamely fell 2-0 behind. Castro was again involved, as his corner was met by a thumping header from defender Philipp Wollscheid, which left Baumann with no chance. Thereafter, the home side were content to keep their opponents at arm's length, which they did with ease. Karim Bellarabi missed a late chance to make it 3-0, but it was a satisfactory afternoon's work for Leverkusen, with Spanish defender Daniel Carvajal and Castro especially impressive.
Bernie Reeves
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