Bayern claim vital victory in Freiburg

FC Bayern beat SC Freiburg 2-1 on Saturday to extend their lead at the top of the Bundesliga. Harry Kane put Bayern in front after a quarter-hour and Minjae Kim doubled the lead early in the second half. Matthias Ginter got one back for Freiburg, but Bayern went on to claim their fifth Bundesliga win in a row.

Bayern started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Joshua Kimmich, Eric Dier, Minjae Kim and Raphaël Guerreiro in defence. Aleksandar Pavlović and Leon Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry, with Kane up front. Goretzka had to be subbed off late in the first half, Josip Stanišić taking over for his first appearance since August. Michael Olise, Kingsley Coman, João Palhinha and Thomas Müller came on for Sané, Gnabry, Guerreiro and Musiala in the second half.

Kane fires in opener

After the players of both teams came together to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day, the sides felt each other out for 10 minutes. Bayern soon took the initiative and came close to an opener when Musiala's powerful drive hit the post. The lead finally came when Dier set up Kane, who spun, drove into the box and blasted past keeper Noah Atubolu.

Gilt-edged chances were at a premium throughout the half, with the patient league leaders dominating possession and solid at the back. Gnabry saw a shot blocked as Kane's goal separated the sides at half-time.

On tenterhooks for 20 minutes

Substitute Matthias Ginter just beat Musiala to a Kane cross, but Kim handed Bayern a second when he headed in the ensuing corner. Gnabry fired over from a promising position before Lucas Höler tested Neuer at the other end, but the home side pulled one back when Ginter headed in from a corner.

Coman saw a shot saved before Freiburg went looking for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Bayern held on to claim a narrow but deserved victory.

The result takes Bayern onto 48 points from 19 matches, six clear of Bayer Leverkusen, who drew against RB Leipzig. The Bavarians will be back in action on Wednesday when they entertain Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen