Bayern moved back to the top of the Bundesliga with a 2-1 victory over second-from-bottom Freiburg, but Louis van Gaal’s side were way off their best in the aftermath of their midweek European exertions, and were grateful to two-goal Arjen Robben’s individual brilliance for the crucial home win.
The 69,000 full house at the Allianz Arena saw Cedrick Makiadi hand the visitors a half-time lead against the sluggish home side, who rallied midway through the second half and restored terms through Robben a quarter of an hour from time. The Dutch ace completed a fine week for his club and for him personally seven minutes from the end with the penalty which sealed three utterly vital points in the title race.
The narrow success returns Bayern to the top of the standings on 56 points from 26 matches, two clear of Schalke and six ahead of Bayer Leverkusen, who face a tricky home fixture with Hamburg on Sunday evening.
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