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Hjulmand and Schick heap praise on Maza
TL;DR
Bayer Leverkusen defeated RB Leipzig 4-1, with Patrik Schick scoring a hat-trick. Both Schick and coach Hjulmand praised Ibrahim Maza for his key contributions to the victory.
Key points
- Bayer Leverkusen won 4-1 against RB Leipzig
- Patrik Schick scored a hat-trick in the match
- Ibrahim Maza assisted Schick's first two goals
- Maza joined Leverkusen from Hertha BSC for €12 million
- Schick's hat-trick was his first since 2024
Bayer LeverkusenRB LeipzigPatrik SchickIbrahim Maza
Hjulmand and Schick heap praise on Maza
Bayer Leverkusen boost their Champions League hopes with a 4-1 defeat of RB Leipzig on Saturday. Patrik Schick was the man of the match with his first Bundesliga hat-trick since 2024 as he extended his goal streak against his former club to three games.
"I'm very happy that I was able to help my team in the Champions League race today," said the 30-year-old striker in an interview with Sky. "Schick had an incredible game," added Ibrahim Maza, who was instrumental for the Czech striker’s first two goals.
The performance of the Algerian international was also a big topic in the post-match interview. Both Kasper Hjulmand and Schick applauded the player who joined from Hertha BSC last summer for a reported €12 million.
"Ibo (Maza) has incredible potential. He showed again today that he’s a complete player. He plays great passes and is strong with his feet. He really can do anything.” However, the 30-year-old striker didn’t want to start comparisons with a certain Florian Wirtz.
"I have already spoken a lot about Maza,” added Hjulmand. “He's a top, top player. He is also a top person, who learns very quickly. He says 'Thank you!' and works super hard every day. He also learns super fast. He’s just a great player who has a great future ahead of him.”
Maza and Leverkusen will face another crucial game next week away at Stuttgart. Both teams (and Hoffenheim) are currently tied on 58 points. Depending on the results of and in European competitions, either one or two of those teams will qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Q&A
What did Patrik Schick say about his performance against RB Leipzig?
Patrik Schick expressed happiness about helping his team in the Champions League race after scoring a hat-trick.
How much did Bayer Leverkusen pay for Ibrahim Maza?
Bayer Leverkusen signed Ibrahim Maza from Hertha BSC for a reported fee of €12 million.
What was significant about Schick's hat-trick in the match?
Schick's hat-trick was his first in the Bundesliga since 2024 and extended his goal streak against RB Leipzig to three games.