Schick leads Leverkusen's win over Leipzig in Bundesliga

Patrik Schick struck just before halftime as Bayer Leverkusen beat RB Leipzig 2-0 in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

Leipzig threatened early at the BayArena, with Neil El Aynaoui and Ezechiel Banzuzi both testing goalkeeper Mark Flekken, and thought it had broken the deadlock in the 34th minute when Romulo released Christopher Nkunku, who finished past Flekken. The goal was ruled out after a VAR review, however, with Romulo adjudged offside in the build-up.

Leverkusen struck shortly before the interval. Miguel Gutierrez sent in a cross and Schick stretched out his right leg to turn the ball home in the 44th minute.

The host improved after the restart and doubled its advantage in the 57th minute. Ibrahim Maza initiated the move before Leipzig failed to clear the danger, allowing Gutierrez to score with a deflected effort.

"With the result we cannot be satisfied, but in the first half we were the better team," Leipzig coach Martin Demichelis said. "Football depends on small details and then the goal does not count. We must learn to play consistently until the last minute."

Leverkusen coach Carles Martinez said his side had read the game well. "We showed a lot of passion and worked well as a team. I think we were the better side," he said.

The victory lifted Leverkusen to fifth on seven points from four matches, while Leipzig dropped to ninth on six. Dortmund leads the standings with 12 points.

After the international break, Leverkusen will visit Mainz on October 10, while Leipzig hosts Eintracht Frankfurt.

Elsewhere on Sunday, promoted Schalke and Elversberg played out a goalless draw in their first Bundesliga meeting, while Paderborn beat Hoffenheim 3-1 to claim its first league victory of the season.