Bayern Munich Edge Past Freiburg 2-1, Extend Bundesliga Lead to Six Points
Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Freiburg on Saturday, thanks to goals from Harry Kane and Kim Min-jae. The win moves them six points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, asserting their dominance in the league.
Eager to bounce back from Wednesday's unexpected 3-0 loss to Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League, which jeopardized their automatic qualification for the round of 16, the Bavarians entered the match with determination.
\"It's no surprise that today's game wasn't easy,\" Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said during the post-match press conference. \"We knew we had to fight. It was a tough week with three games, but we came here with the right mentality. Maybe it wasn't our prettiest game, but it was a good win because Freiburg at home is very tough to beat. We can't change the story in Rotterdam, but we could influence the story today, and that was our only focus. There is no success or titles without such moments.\"
Bayern started brightly, with Jamal Musiala hitting the post before Bundesliga top scorer Harry Kane put them ahead in the 15th minute. Kane showcased his skill with a stunning turn on the edge of the box and a low drive for his 17th goal of the season. Notably, Kane combined with Eric Dier to score, marking the first time two Englishmen have linked up for a Bundesliga goal since records began in 2004-05.
Early in the second half, defender Kim Min-jae extended Bayern's lead, heading in at the near post from a corner in the 54th minute. The South Korean international, known for his solid defensive skills, notched his first goal of the season, delighting fans across Asia.
However, the hosts were not finished. Freiburg pulled a goal back in the 68th minute through Matthias Ginter's header. They pressed on, carving out several chances for an equalizer, but ultimately could not avoid a third straight league loss, dropping them to ninth in the standings.
With this victory, Bayern has now won all four of their league games this year, amassing 48 points. They stand six points ahead of second-placed Bayer 04 Leverkusen, who squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at RB Leipzig.
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Bayern Munich drop Freiburg, extend their lead in Bundesliga
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