By a 2:1 victory against SC Freiburg, who thus became the last Bundesliga team to concede their first defeat of the season in 2021/22, FC Bayern maintained their lead in the standings.
Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann – back in the Bundesliga for the first time after surviving quarantine – rotates in three positions compared to the 5-2 win over Benfica Lisbon in the Champions League: Süle, Hernandez and Müller started instead of Pavard, Nianzou and Gnabry (all on the bench). Sabitzer (stomach bug) was missing from the squad.
Freiburg coach Christian Streich decided to make a change after the 3:1 home win against Fürth a week ago: Gulde moved into the starting line-up for Schade (bench), which thus became a little more defensive in its tactical alignment with a three-man defence.
Goretzka ends Freiburg’s strong phase
The Breisgau side kept up well from the start and forced Hernandez into a risky clearance after just over 30 seconds. With high pressing and direct play to the top, the visitors kept the Munich team busy in their own half. However, this did not mean that the FCB did not have some good offensive actions themselves: Süle after a corner kick (4th) and Davies from an acute angle failed to beat Flekken early on (6th). But Freiburg were also dangerous: After an unfortunate header return by Kimmich, Höler shot just past from the edge of the penalty area (12.).
Bayern had a hard time with the defiant third-placed team – even if Sané (21.) and later Kimmich with a bicycle kick (28.) had further promising goal approaches. It was only when Nagelsmann’s team pushed the tempo a little more after half an hour and introduced a little more direct play that they promptly scored the 1:0: Goretzka scored after an interplay with Müller to take the lead (30th). Shortly afterwards, Lewandowski almost scored a double strike after a counterattack, but the Pole aimed right at Flekken (31st). After that, the home side dominated the action before half-time – but without creating any further big chances.
Lewandowski brings about the preliminary decision
FC Bayern Munich Player Robert Lewandowski.
After the break, Freiburg initially increased the risk a little, which led to an open exchange of blows – with many attempts from distance. Bayern had the better attempts: Sané forced Flekken into a save (54th), Goretzka even failed to hit the post (56th). The guests lacked the final precision and penetrating power in their infrequent offensive actions. On the other side, the pressure increased again. Goretzka’s attempt from the edge of the penalty area once again barely touched the bar (68th), and less than ten minutes later the Munich players made it 2-0: Via Davies and Sané, the ball came to Lewandowski, who pushed the ball over the line from close range (75th);
It was not until the final minutes of the game that Freiburg suddenly once again showed very clear offensive vitality. Höfler forced Neuer into a save (85th), as did Höler a little later (88th). Deep in stoppage time, Joker Haberer, who had been able to beat Nianzou with luck and skill, even managed to score the equaliser (90.+3). Despite two minutes of added time – instead of the four minutes initially indicated, six minutes were added – Bayern deserved to win.
