Robert Lewandowski’s late goal helped Bayern Munich to secure a 2-1 comeback win over Freiburg, at the curtain raiser of the second half of the Bundesliga season on Friday.
Newly promoted Freiburg staged a resilient performance against front-runners Bayern Munich, who needed two goals from Robert Lewandowski to cancel out Freiburg’s early opener through Janik Haberer.
The hosts started highly motivated against Bayern and ensured a bright start as Janik Haberer utilized on a through ball from Vincenzo Grifo to beat goalkeeper Manuel Neuer into the far post corner with four minutes played.
Freiburg gained momentum as goalie Manuel Neuer had to defuse Florian Niederlechner’s effort on target with a diving safe into the top-left corner in the 19th minute.
Bayern were unable to threat Freiburg’s well-positioned defense. The German giants had thus to wait until the 28th minute before Arturo Vidal unleashed the first shot on target.
The visitors increased their efforts and overcame Freiburg with 35 minutes into the game as Robert Lewandowski volleyed home Douglas Costa’s corner kick to restore parity.
After the restart, Bayern immediately assumed control but yet Freiburg were standing firm when Freiburg custodian Alexander Schwolow denied Arjen Robben’s shot on goal in the 56th minute.
However, Freiburg remained dangerous on counter attacks and they almost grabbed the winner but Maximilian Philipp pulled just wide from promising position in the 84th minute.
The German giants had the last laugh as Lewandowski sewed up the 2-1 decider after he chest down a cross from Franck Ribery to poke home the winner surrounded by Freiburg defenders inside the box in the dying seconds of the game.
With the result, Bayern extend their lead atop the standings whereas Freiburg remain on the 8th place for the moment.
The following fixtures are scheduled for Saturday: Wolfsburg host Hamburg, Augsburg see Hoffenheim, Bremen face Dortmund, last place Darmstadt encounter Monchengladbach and runner up Leipzig clash with Frankfurt.
(INPUTS FROM XINHUA NEWS AGENCY)