Levi Rothermund
Bayern Munich Stages Stunning Comeback to Defeat Freiburg 3-2 in Bundesliga
Bayern Munich came from two goals down to claim a dramatic 3-2 victory against SC Freiburg, extending their unbeaten away record in all competitions to 12 matches (W10, D2). The result moves the runaway league leaders closer to the Bundesliga title, while handing Freiburg just their second competitive loss at Europa-Park Stadion since the opening weekend (W13, D4).
The hosts had reason for optimism after Bayern Munich suffered a 6-2 defeat in the reverse fixture. Freiburg started brightly, with Jan-Niklas Beste pulling the ball back for Philipp Treu in the 15th minute, though Treu side-footed his first-time effort wide. Manuel Neuer then made two saves, thwarting Lucas Holer‘s close-range volley and a Philipp Lienhart diving header, both from offside positions.
Bayern offered their own attacking threat before the break. Lennart Karl tested Noah Atubolu with a low strike, then skied a bouncing ball from close range. Serge Gnabry drilled a strike from range just wide of the mark, with the teams level at half time.
The second half brought immediate change. Johan Manzambi bent a delightful shot from distance beyond a motionless Neuer to put Freiburg in front in the 47th minute. Bayern had not lost a Bundesliga match this season when conceding first (W5, D3), but they were fortunate not to fall further behind as Holer wasted two excellent chances, blazing over the box before stroking agonisingly past the post. Substitute Michael Olise also mistimed his finish from point-blank range.
Freiburg doubled their advantage with 19 minutes remaining. Neuer‘s miscalculated intervention from a corner left Holer with a simple task to tuck home the loose ball. The hosts appeared set for victory until Bayern‘s remarkable response.
Tom Bischof proved instrumental in the comeback. He halved the deficit with a well-struck drive in the 81st minute, then levelled the game in stoppage time with another fierce effort. Bayern snatched victory in the 99th minute when Karl tapped home at the back post.
Bayern Munich now sits comfortably atop the table, just one goal away from breaking their 1971/72 record of 101 scored in a single Bundesliga campaign. The side faces Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals midweek.
Freiburg remains eighth in the Bundesliga and will turn their focus to a UEFA Europa League encounter with RC Celta de Vigo.