FC Bayern Munich kept pursuers Borussia Dortmund at a distance on the 28th match day of the Bundesliga. At SC Freiburg, coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team won 4-1 (0-0). A change error by FC Bayern caused a stir.
It happened in a double substitution five minutes before the end: When Corentin Tolisso and Kingsley Coman were substituted for Niklas Süle and Marcel Sabitzer, twelve FC Bayern players were briefly on the pitch during the game – loud sky for 17 seconds. Tolisso was substituted on himself, but had to come down again.
Freiburg coach Christian Streich called out to referee Christian Dingert: “Whistle, what shit here!” Dingert continued after an interruption and lengthy discussions. It is not yet clear whether this has an impact on the game rating. Here you can find more information and statements from referees Dingert, Julian Nagelsmann and Christian Streich.
In front of 34,700 spectators in the new Europa-Park stadium, which was sold out for the first time, Leon Goretzka gave FC Bayern the lead in the 58th minute. After a four-month break due to injury (patellar tendon), he was in the starting XI for his comeback instead of the strong Jamal Musiala.
Nils Petersen equalized (63′) with his 100th competitive goal for Freiburg just 17 seconds after being substituted on. After being substituted on, Serge Gnabry needed a similar amount of time to make it 2-1 (73′). Kingsley Coman (82nd) and Marcel Sabitzer (90th + 6) scored to make it 4-1. It was the first goal for FC Bayern for the Austrian summer signing.
“Overall it was a good game, which isn’t easy before a Champions League game,” said Nagelsmann. “I told the lads at the hotel that every minute counts on the way to the titles that we can and want to win.” On Wednesday, the quarter-final first leg is played away against Villarreal.
SC Freiburg – FC Bayern Munich: The analysis
FC Bayern dominated the game in a 4-2-3-1 system from the start. As the game progressed, the long ball possession phases of the guests shifted further and further forward, mostly on the left side. All FC Bayern players were often deep in the opposing half.
This was also due to the wait and see style of the hosts. Freiburg was very deep with a five-string defense: the hosts let Bayern come, but did not give them any dangerous chances in the first half.
When in possession of the ball, Freiburg made occasional counterattacks, but defended the all-French FC Bayern back four with ease. In particular, the central defenders Upamecano and Nianzou, who are considered error-prone, were stable, and they also enriched the build-up game.
Even after the break, FC Bayern didn’t initially create any good chances from the game. Goretzka’s lead came from a free kick from his midfield colleague Kimmich.
Because Nagelsmann not only replaced the goalscorer but also the not quite fit Lewandowski shortly afterwards, FC Bayern acted without a nominal striker from then on. After the quick equalizer by substitute Petersen, Nagelsmann strengthened the offensive again: Gnabry came on for Pavard, who then scored the decisive 2-1.
Goretzka celebrated an excellent comeback. He enriched FC Bayern’s game with his physicality, winning most of his numerous duels and aerial duels. After the break, Goretzka scored to make it 1-0, before being substituted shortly before equalizing.
The flop of the game: Nico Schlotterbeck (SC Freiburg)
Schlotterbeck was too easy to play off before Gnabry’s decisive goal to make it 2-1, but he was a bit disoriented when Sabitzer made it 4-1. In the passing game he presented himself incorrectly, less than 80 percent of his passes came.
The referee: Christian Dingert
After a largely solid performance, Dingert was the focus of FC Bayern’s controversial move in the closing stages. He moderated the situation calmly, but consequences on the green table should not be ruled out.
