Bayern Munich were just one step from another disaster in the German league on Saturday. Louis Van Gaal’s side left it late against SC Freiburg whom the finally edged 2-1 at the Badenova stadium. Gomez’s early goal and Ribery’s late one brought a crucial win that put the Bavarians fourth in the Bundesliga. It’s been a welcomed win realizing the German champions had followed a 3-2 loss to Inter Milan in the Champions League last 16 round.
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Gomez opened the score in the ninth minute following a free-kick taken by Ribery. The French’s cross met striker’s head who beat keeper Baumann from six yards or so. Unfortunately, Munich’s joy wouldn’t last but eight minutes. Cisse made it 1-1 in the 17th minute following a poor defending from the visitors who left the striker unmarked as well as onside, putting it home past keeper Kraft. The half time went 1-1, while Schuster entered the locker-rooms with a yellow card. On the other side, Robben was forced to leave the pitch early in the 30th minute, being replaced by Altintop.
Concerning the second half, it found both sides chasing the winner but also missing plenty of clear chances. Louis Van Gaal started to make a couple of changes with 20 minutes left, introducing striker Klose for Muller and Timoshchuk for Kroos. It’s been an inspired move, their second goal coming just ten minutes after the last substitution. A perfect control of the ball allowed Ribery escape the mark and thunder a 16-yarder past keeper Baumann into the far post. 2-1 and Munich avoided a disaster.
Munich climb fourth with 48 points won in 27 games and sit just two points behind third Hannover 96 and seven behind Bayer Leverkusen. Unfortunately, their title chances have also been scattered because of seven losses and six draws. Their only aim is to reach either a Champions League spot or an Europa League one at the end of the season. The first two spots are reserved for the first competition, while the 3-5 ones for the Europa League.
SC Freiburg are seven points from the fifth FSV Mainz who have earned 44 points so far. The defeat to Bayern is their 12th of the season, Robin Hutt’s side having won 11 games this season. They will next meet FSV Main, while Bayern Munich host foot of the table Borussia M’gladbach next Saturday.
SC Freiburg – Baumann; Mujdza, Toprak, Barth, Bastians; Schuster, Flum, Makiadi; Putsila, Caligiuri; Cisse. Reserves: M. Salz, S. Reisinger, H. Butscher, M. Nicu, J. Jager, P. Krmas, K. Yano.
Bayer Munich – Kraft; Lahm, van Buyten, Luiz Gustavo, Pranjic; Schweinsteiger, Kroos; Robben, Muller, Ribery; Gomez. Reserves: M. Klose, A. Ottl, A. Timoshchuk, H. Badstuber, D. Contento, H. Altintop.
