Bayern Munich only played 2-2 at SC Freiburg on their anniversary. The record champions seem to be giving up in the title fight.
Thomas Tuchel strode disgruntled across the pitch, Manuel Neuer angrily kicked the ball away: Max Eberl saw a lot of resignation from his new employer from the stands. After the 2:2 (1:1) draw at SC Freiburg, FC Bayern has apparently finally given up the fight for the title.
“The second half was okay. In the end you can of course say that one half is not enough if we really want to win,” said coach Tuchel on “DAZN”. He was particularly dissatisfied with the first half hour: “We played completely without structure, losing the ball as we moved forward, inviting us to counterattack. I don’t think it was because we wanted to, but it was partly hara-kiri.”
There has not yet been an Eberl effect for the record champions. On the first day of work for the new sports director, the Munich team lost a lead and thus missed their goals for their 2000th Bundesliga game: they barely reduced the gap to the leaders and hoped in vain for a tailwind for the premier class.
Thanks to the draw, the Munich team only reduced their gap to league leaders Bayer Leverkusen to seven points after the first game of matchday 24. The goals from Mathys Tel (35th) and Jamal Musiala (75th) were not enough for a threesome. Christian Günter (12th) and Lucas Höler (87th) scored for SC.
2000. FC Bayern Bundesliga game
After the missed success, doubts about outgoing coach Tuchel’s weak team are growing with a view to the second leg of the round of 16 in the Champions League on Tuesday against Lazio Rome (first leg 0-1).
Freiburg, who will face West Ham United in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday, are also still in crisis. The SC has only gotten two points from the last six league games. Freiburg has been waiting for a win against Bayern in 16 league games.
The industry leader’s 2000th Bundesliga game was also Munich’s 1000th away game. Like the record of the most successful club in the league’s history since promotion 59 years ago, both brands represent records. Bayern won 1,206 of the previous 1999 games.
Günter is there after Sallai’s bicycle kick
In front of 34,700 spectators in the sold-out stadium, the Freiburg team started like the fire department. Manuel Neuer was initially able to parry a header from Roland Sallai superbly, and Sallai’s follow-up shot from an overhead kick landed on the crossbar (12th). Seconds later, Neuer was powerless to deal with Günter’s strong direct shot from 18 meters.
Just four minutes after falling behind, the Munich team, who had to make do without Leroy Sane and the suspended Matthijs de Ligt alongside the long-term injured, almost conceded their second goal from Günter. Neuer had to save against the full-back.
Bayern’s defense was struggling tremendously. In particular, Joshua Kimmich, who was back at right-back, had big problems with Günter and Vincenzo Grifo. The German-Italian had the second SC goal in the 22nd minute. Min-Jae Kim (for de Ligt) and Eric Dier (contract extended until 2025) also seemed anything but confident.
Musiala redeems FC Bayern – but Freiburg responds
It was only after almost half an hour that the guests pushed the SC onto the defensive at times. The youngster Tel, who played for Sane, scored the equalizer with a dream goal from the edge of the penalty area.
At the beginning of the second half, Bayern increased the number of hits. Harry Kane missed the great chance to take the lead (47th). Just two minutes later, Maximilian Eggestein had a similarly good opportunity on the other side.
Afterwards both teams fought on equal terms. In the 65th minute, Kimmich had to make way and Konrad Laimer came on for him. Alphonso Davies also celebrated his comeback after recovering from a knee injury. Bayern’s second goal was in the air at this stage, but Musiala finally scored. But Freiburg found an answer.