Berlin, Oct 29: Michael Ballack's first Bundesliga goal for over five years gave Bayer Leverkusen a 1-0 win at last-placed Freiburg on Friday.
Ballack scored in the second minute when Freiburg failed to clear a corner, allowing Oemer Toprak and Manuel Friedrich to head the ball on for the former Germany captain to strike from close range.
Ballack last scored in the German league in May 2006, in the last game of the season for Bayern Munich before his move to Chelsea.
Freiburg striker Papiss Demba Cisse hit the post with a volley in the 38th minute, and Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno denied the home side with a number of impressive saves.
Leverkusen, which plays at Valencia in the Champions League on Tuesday, climbs to eighth ahead of the weekend's round of games.
