Bayern Munich return to Bundesliga summit with Freiburg win ahead of Der Klassiker

Bayern Munich moved back to the top of the Bundesliga with a 3-1 victory against Freiburg at the Europa-Park Stadion, giving them added momentum before next weekend’s Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund.

The result put Bayern above Dortmund on goal difference after Dortmund had beaten Eintracht Frankfurt. Freiburg remain third, but are now four points behind the leaders.

Bayern’s preparations were disrupted on Friday when manager Vincent Kompany collapsed at the training ground and was taken to hospital. His coaching staff assumed responsibility for the match, with assistant Aaron Danks in charge as Bayern responded to Dortmund’s earlier victory.

The visitors made the breakthrough in the 16th minute through Dayot Upamecano. The defender first blocked an attempt close to his own penalty area, then continued forward to receive Michael Olise’s pass before placing a composed finish into the bottom corner.

Serge Gnabry added a second just before the interval. Nathaniel Brown’s through ball found the forward at the right moment, and Gnabry sent a low shot beyond Freiburg goalkeeper Mio Backhaus.

Freiburg made changes in an attempt to alter the course of the game after half-time, with manager Julian Schuster making two substitutions before the hour. Igor Matanovic quickly tested Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig with a long-range effort, forcing him into a save.

The home side pulled one goal back eight minutes from time when Tom Bischof unintentionally deflected a dangerous cross into Bayern’s own net.

That set up a nervous closing period for the visitors. Urbig reacted sharply to keep out a header or effort from Matthias Ginter, while Sacha Boey saw a goal disallowed as Freiburg searched for an equaliser.

Bayern settled the contest in the closing stages when Olise punished Backhaus for being out of position. The France international released a long-range attempt towards an unguarded goal, completing the 3-1 victory.

The win also extended Bayern’s unbeaten league record against Freiburg to 21 games. Bayern have won 17 of those meetings and drawn four.