Unlucky Reds held by battling Freiburg

FC Bayern were held to a 1-1 draw by SC Freiburg on Saturday, losing the lead in the table to Borussia Dortmund. Lucas Höler and Robert Lewandowski traded goals in the first half. Bayern were utterly dominant after the restart and created a string of gilt-edged chances but failed to reward themselves.

The Bavarians started with Sven Ulreich in goal and Joshua Kimmich, Mats Hummels, Jérôme Boateng and Rafinha in a back four. Thiago and Leon Goretzka featured in a twin holding role behind Thomas Müller, James and Kingsley Coman, with Lewandowski as lone striker. Serge Gnabry, Niklas Süle and Franck Ribéry took over from Müller, Boateng and Coman in the second half.

Early setback, Lewy levels

The 24,000 full house in Freiburg saw the home side go straight onto the front foot, and there was an early shock for Bayern when the unmarked Höler rose high to connect with a Christian Günter cross and head past Ulreich. The Bavarians were struggling at first, Mike Frantz miscuing an effort. Bayern slowly but surely got a grip, with Lewandowski only just missing the ball in the box, although Boateng soon made a crucial last-ditch scramble to deny Frantz.

Lewandowski levelled the scores, shining with a brilliant first touch before acrobatically firing past netminder Alexander Schwolow. Ulreich proved equal to a Günter effort before Goretzka glanced a header just wide.

No way past Schwolow

The contest was essentially an evenly-matched affair in the first half, but that changed completely after the restart, with Bayern in the driving seat and the home side increasingly parking the bus. Schwolow denied Kimmich before a Lewandowski effort went wide. Lewandowski saw two efforts blocked before Schwolow shone with two fine saves against Boateng and James.

The outstanding Schwolow kept the scores level when he denied efforts by Gnabry and Lewandowski. Bayern desperately chased a second goal now, but Rafinha hit the side-netting before Lewandowski saw an effort blocked. The Poland captain had another chance but headed wide before Goretzka saw a header crash off the post, and match official Christian Dingert blew for full-time.

The result means Bayern have 61 points from 27 matches, two short of Dortmund, who beat Wolfsburg 2-0. The German record champions will be back in action on Wednesday, when they entertain Heidenheim in the DFB Cup last eight. The Reds will be looking to atone for the draw and reclaim the lead in the table next Saturday, when they take on Dortmund in a mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen