FREIBURG, Germany (Reuters) – Freiburg forward Lucas Hoeler scored an 87th-minute goal on Friday to secure a 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich, dealing a blow to the visitors’ Bundesliga title aspirations. The result left Bayern Munich trailing by seven points behind current leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who have 61 points and could extend their lead with a victory over Cologne on Sunday.
In the 12th minute, Freiburg took the lead as Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer made an initial save from a Roland Sallai header, but the rebound from his save was converted into a goal by Christian Guenter. Despite dominating the first half hour, Freiburg failed to capitalize on their chances, and Bayern Munich equalized with a powerful long-range strike from Mathys Tel in the 35th minute.
Bayern Munich then took the lead in the 75th minute with a solo effort from Jamal Musiala. However, their lead was short-lived as Freiburg’s Lucas Hoeler scored a late equalizer in the 87th minute with a well-taken shot after a fine turn in the box, salvaging a point for the hosts. The draw saw Bayern Munich accumulate 54 points from 24 league matches.
Bayern Munich will now turn their attention to their upcoming Champions League last 16 return leg against Lazio. The German side will be looking to secure their spot in the next round of the competition as they continue their pursuit of silverware on multiple fronts.
The match was a display of resilience from Freiburg, who fought back from behind twice to secure a valuable point against one of the top teams in the Bundesliga. The result will give Freiburg a confidence boost as they look to climb the league table and consolidate their position in the top flight of German football.
Both teams showed determination and quality throughout the match, entertaining fans with end-to-end action and showcasing the competitiveness of the Bundesliga. The draw was a fair result considering the balance of play and the opportunities created by both sides during the game.
Bayern Munich will need to regroup after dropping points in this crucial match and focus on their upcoming fixtures in order to keep their title hopes alive. Meanwhile, Freiburg will take heart from their performance and use it as motivation for their future matches in the Bundesliga as they aim to finish the season on a high note.
The battle for the Bundesliga title continues to heat up, with every point proving to be crucial as the season enters its decisive phase. Fans can expect more drama and excitement in the remaining matches as the race for the championship intensifies among the top teams in the league.
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
