Cup revenge successful, league lead underpinned, self-confidence for the premier class cracker fueled: FC Bayern Munich put the end of the triple dream well and with the 1-0 (0-0) at SC Freiburg all their goals for the 27. Bundesliga match day reached.
Matthijs de Ligt (51st) scored for Bayern – four days after the defeat against SC in the quarterfinals of the DFB Cup (1: 2) and three days before the quarterfinals first leg in the Champions League at English champions Manchester City on Tuesday (9:00 p.m./Prime Video).
With the first defeat after seven unbeaten games and the first home defeat after twelve games, Freiburg suffered a setback in the fight for their first participation in the Champions League.
The new Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel relied on star power in Breisgau. Julian Nagelsmann’s successor offered Sadio Mané, Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry – all four were not in the starting XI in the cup defeat. Tuchel had to do without the suspended defender Dayot Upamecano and the injured striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
“We come with a defeat in our luggage and know the table situation,” said Tuchel shortly before the kick-off at “Sky”: “There’s pressure on it, we’re in the final sprint in all competitions. We want to give an answer.”
The 34,700 spectators in the sold-out Freiburg stadium saw a rapid start. Both teams put their foot down, despite the visual superiority of the guests, Freiburg didn’t hide. Nevertheless, it was Gnabry who turned Bayern’s lead upside down after a cross from Musiala – but SC goalkeeper Mark Flekken made a strong save (9th).
SC Freiburg remains a fire hazard
The sports club was unimpressed by the great opportunity and even determined the minutes that followed. And yet it was Bayern again who became extremely dangerous. In the 18th minute, Mané was unable to take advantage of the second top opportunity.
The Munich team then took command over long stretches, but Freiburg held back well and also put needle pricks on the offensive. In the 34th minute, SC captain Christian Günter missed his shot at the end of a promising counterattack. Shortly thereafter, central defender Manuel Gulde was knocked out, replaced by Philipp Lienhart (36′).
Towards the end of the first half, Bayern increased the number of strokes and the Munich lead was in the air. But the Japanese Ritsu Doan was very close on the opposite side when he hit the post (44th).
At the beginning of the second half, not much happened at first – then central defender de Ligt put Munich in the lead almost out of nowhere with a remarkable long-range shot. Shortly thereafter, Mané failed at Flekken (57th), Leroy Sané’s chance was even greater (60th) – due to the missed chances, the SC stayed in the game.
That almost took revenge in the 70th minute. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer had to save against substitute Roland Sallai in dire need. Seven minutes later, Sané couldn’t put the lid on the game again.
