· 2 min readIn this Freiburg vs Bayern match, I analyse the key tactical moments, individual performances and turning points of the game.
Freiburg hosted Bayern on a matchday when just one point separated the two teams. Despite the Bavarians being favourites, the game promised to be difficult. Freiburg had scored 18 goals in their last five home games, while Bayern were still not entirely convincing away from home.
Bayern started with more of the ball, although without creating any real danger, and scored with their first shot on target. In the 18th minute, Upamecano won the ball back after a Freiburg attack and launched a counter-attack with Kane and Olise. The Frenchman found the centre-back in his stride, and Upamecano covered practically half the pitch before entering the box, using his body to beat his opponent and shooting with his right foot. A fantastic goal, not just because of the finish, but also because of the way the defender started and followed up the move.
Freiburg tried to respond and Höler came close to scoring, but Tah was in the right place at the right time to block his shot inside the box. At the other end, Backhaus also saved an effort from Brown, before the full-back himself played a part in the second goal.
In the 42nd minute, Brown played Gnabry through, and the winger finished low without any fuss. Bayern were being more clinical, while Freiburg kept accumulating shots without managing to hit the target.
Kane was practically anonymous in the first half, touching the ball just 20 times, while Lennart Karl also failed to make the most of his opportunity. Even so, Freiburg’s problem was more obvious: they had six shots and none on target. Taking the initiative is important, but it counts for little if you can’t turn your attacking moves into genuine danger.
Freiburg finally managed a shot on target in the 47th minute, when Scherhant tried his luck from outside the box, but Urbig saved comfortably. Bayern continued to control the game, although Kane wasted a good cross from Olise with a very poorly executed header.
Saibari came on in the 61st minute and, after Kane won the ball back, forced a good save from Backhaus. The young goalkeeper would continue to impress in the second half, preventing the gap from growing.
In the 81st minute, Saibari produced a lovely piece of individual skill, beating two opponents before setting up Davies. Kane shot and Backhaus saved; from the rebound, the goalkeeper denied Saibari again. It was a great chance to put the game to bed, and Bayern would briefly pay for wasting it.
In the 82nd minute, Makengo nutmegged an opponent and crossed into the box. The ball struck Tom Bischof and ended up in the net, an unfortunate own goal that gave Freiburg hope again. The home side grew in confidence and, deep into stoppage time, Ginter forced an extraordinary save from Urbig with a header from a corner. Bayern were under pressure, and a draw no longer seemed impossible.
But in the 90+5th minute, Olise settled everything. With Freiburg pushing forward, goalkeeper Backhaus lost the ball well outside his area, allowing the Frenchman to win it back and score into an empty net. A terrible mistake that punished a team who had fought until the very end.
Post-match
Bayern were the better side and deserved to win, particularly because of their control of the game and the chances they created. Even so, their lapse in concentration at the end nearly proved costly. Freiburg deserve credit for their response, but Backhaus went from hero to the man responsible for the final blow.
