Schick scored on his return to league turf, but Leverkusen lost

Union Berlin v Schalke 21st round of the German football league match, February 19, 2023. Union Berlin's Sven Michel (left) Schalke 04's Cedric Brunner.

Berlin – Striker Patrik Schick returned to the German Football League after more than three months of injury and scored a goal, but Leverkusen lost to Mainz 2-3. Union Berlin did not take advantage of Saturday's defeat of Bayern Munich in Mönchengladbach and with a 0:0 draw with the last Schalke, they missed the chance to move to the top of the table. In addition, he lost the second place, in which he was replaced by Dortmund after a 4:1 win over Hertha Berlin. All three teams at the top of the competition have 43 points.

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After protracted problems with his groin, Schick got on the pitch for the first time since October 29 in the 56th minute and scored a goal with his first contact with the ball. He scored for the first time since September 10 and has three goals in the Bundesliga this season. Adam Hložek came into the game in the 84th minute, but he did not help prevent Leverkusen's defeat.

Bayer had the opportunity to take a penalty in the 23rd minute, but Tapsoba did not convert it. Three minutes later, Caci sent Mainz into the lead with a quick shot against the post. In the 32nd minute, after a mistake by Fernandes, Amiri equalized, but Barreiro restored the lead to the visitors in the first half. Schick equalized at 2:2 with a stop after a jam in front of the Mainz goal.

In the 80th minute, Adli brought down Widmer almost rugby-like in the box and Ingvartsen converted the penalty. In addition, Adli was excluded.

Dortmund won for the sixth time in a row. He took the lead against Hertha after less than half an hour of the game thanks to Adeyemi's skillful foot, which the 21-year-old forward directed Reus' cross shot behind Christensen's back. Before halftime, he added the second goal for home Malen.

In the second act, he knocked Tousart off the crossbar with a hard shot. Dortmund's two-goal lead was restored in the 77th minute from a free kick by Reus, and in the 90th minute Brandt rounded off the result.

Schalke drew without a goal for the fourth time in a row and is six points behind the non-relegation positions. Czech midfielder Alex Král played the entire match on the Union pitch.

Results of the 21st round of the German Football League

Union Berlin – Schalke 0:0, Dortmund – Hertha Berlin 4:1 (27. Adeyemi, 32. Malen, 77. Reus, 90. Brandt – 47. Tousart), Leverkusen – Mainz 2:3 (32. Amiri, 58. Schick – 26. Caci, 45.+4 Barreriro, 82. Ingvartsen from pen.).

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