Leverkusen Bounces Back with Win Over Freiburg Amid Mainz Fan Medical Emergency
Leverkusen beats Freiburg 2-0 to climb Bundesliga standings while Mainz 05 deals with a fan's serious medical emergency during their match.
- • Bayer Leverkusen defeated SC Freiburg 2-0, climbing to 4th place in the Bundesliga.
- • Ernest Poku and Edmond Tapsoba scored for Leverkusen; Freiburg’s Philipp Lienhart was sent off.
- • Mainz 05 fan sustained a serious medical emergency, treated for over 20 minutes, condition now stable.
- • Mainz 05 continues to struggle in the league with just 4 points from 8 matches, lacking confidence.
Key details
In Bundesliga action on October 26, 2025, Bayer Leverkusen secured a crucial 2-0 victory against SC Freiburg, while Mainz 05 faced a tense medical emergency involving a fan during their match.
Leverkusen, recovering from a heavy 2-7 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, delivered a composed performance at home in front of 30,210 fans. Goals by Ernest Poku in the 22nd minute and Edmond Tapsoba’s header in the 52nd minute sealed the win. Freiburg’s efforts were further hampered when Philipp Lienhart received a yellow-red card in the 74th minute. Leverkusen rose to fourth place in the Bundesliga standings with 17 points, unbeaten in seven matches. Freiburg dropped to 11th with 9 points after failing to capitalize on scoring chances, as noted by coach Julian Schuster, who lamented, “We did not utilize the chances we created in the first half.” Leverkusen’s coach Kasper Hjulmand praised his team’s capability and performance.
Meanwhile, during the Mainz 05 vs. VfB Stuttgart match, a fan suffered a serious medical emergency requiring over 20 minutes of treatment and resuscitation before being transported to hospital. Niko Bungert, Mainz’s sporting director, expressed cautious optimism, stating he heard from the stands the fan’s life was no longer in danger. Bungert highlighted the professionalism of all involved during the pause in fan support but continuation of play. Coach Bo Henriksen emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting football “becomes secondary in such critical moments.”
Sportingly, Mainz 05 continues to struggle with only four points from eight matches, lacking confidence due to their winless streak. Goalkeeper Robin Zentner spoke of tactical progress but acknowledged the difficulties in scoring, urging unity with fans amid challenging times.
Leverkusen next face Paderborn in the DFB-Pokal, while Freiburg prepare to host Düsseldorf. Mainz 05 are left to regroup after a week marked by both sporting hardship and a significant off-pitch incident.