Patrik Schick scores hat-trick as Bayer Leverkusen sink Heidenheim 5-2 in German league

By Can Erozden

Czech forward Patrik Schick scored a hat-trick Saturday as defending champions Bayer Leverkusen beat Heidenheim 5-2 in the German Bundesliga.

Visitors Heidenheim were up 2-0 at BayArena after Niklas Dorsch and Mathias Honsak scored shocking goals before the 30-minute mark.

Leverkusen's Argentine midfielder Exequiel Palacios scored to narrow the gap in minute 30.

Schick displayed a heroic performance for the hosts, scoring three goals, including a header.

Granit Xhaka, Leverkusen's Swiss midfielder, scored a classy goal outside the penalty box to seal the win for the Werkself.

Leverkusen have 20 points in 11 matches and are in the fourth spot in the Bundesliga standings, led by Bayern Munich with 29 points.

Second-place Eintracht Frankfurt have 23 points as they edged Werder Bremen 1-0 on Saturday. Mario Gotze scored the winner.

RB Leipzig were handed a 4-3 loss at Hoffenheim to move down to third place in the standings. Leipzig have 21 points.

Borussia Dortmund are fifth with 19 points as they hammered Freiburg 4-0 in a home match at Signal Iduna Park.

The Bundesliga will see a "Der Klassiker," or The Classic, next weekend as Borussia Dortmund will host leaders Bayern Munich on Nov. 30.

All eyes in Germany are on a Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich contest whenever the two clubs meet.

It is not a derby as they do not share the same city. But there has been a big, fiery and long-lasting rivalry between Dortmund and Bayern.