Reds held to draw by Freiburg

FC Bayern were held to a 2-2 draw by SC Freiburg on Saturday. Robert Lewandowski handed Bayern the lead from the penalty spot to score his 40th goal this campaign and equal Gerd Müller's historic record from the 1971/72 season. Manuel Gulde soon equalised for Freiburg. Leroy Sané netted after the restart, but Christian Günther levelled the scores with ten minutes to go.

The Bavarians lined up with Alexander Nübel in goal and Niklas Süle, Jérôme Boateng, Lucas Hernández and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and David Alaba featured in a twin holding role behind Sané, Thomas Müller and Serge Gnabry, with Lewandowski up front. Marc Roca, comeback kid Corentin Tolisso, Bouna Sarr and Kingsley Coman took over from Hernández, Müller, Süle and Sané in the second half.

Lewy from the spot

Bayern dominated proceedings from the off, although the first chance fell to the home side, Vincenzo Grifo dragging a free-kick wide. Sané fired wide and Kimmich saw an effort from distance deflected behind, Lewandowski miscuing from the edge of the box. Freiburg keeper Mark Flekken denied Sané, but Müller was soon upended in a box, referee Florian Badstübner pointing to the spot following VAR intervention.

Up stepped Lewandowski, expertly dispatching from 12 yards to score his 40th goal this campaign, equalling Gerd Müller's record. Freiburg replied almost immediately, Gulde heading in from a corner. Freiburg were more solid at the back now and chances proved few and far between until half-time, Gnabry seeing an effort blocked.

Sané's goal not enough

Sané drew a save from Flekken before shining when he wriggled his way past a number of defenders, his pass inviting Gnabry to tap in, only for the linesman to raise his flag. But Bayern got a second goal when Müller set up Sané, who beat Flekken this time. Freiburg got a grip again, and Ermedin Demirovic fired wide, Nübel denying Christian Günter before deflecting a Lucas Höler effort, with Süle clearing.

Nübel shone with another fine save to deny Janik Haberer before Lewandowski missed two great chances to set a new goal record, seeing an effort saved before his first touch let him down following a Coman pass, Flekken collecting. Yannik Keitel fired wide from distance but Freiburg levelled when Günter raced clear on the left and beat Nübel. Lewandowski saw another header saved, and Badstübner blew for full-time, Bayern and Freiburg sharing the spoils.

The result means Bayern have 75 points from 33 matches. The Bavarians will be back in action next Saturday, when they entertain Augsburg in the last match of the season before turning to the serious business of celebrating their ninth Bundesliga title on the bounce.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen