‘Panicky’ Bayern held

FREIBURG IM BREISGAU: Bayern Munich were held to a 2-2 draw at Freiburg on Friday, an 87th-minute equaliser from Lucas Hoeler giving leaders Bayer Leverkusen a chance to go 10 points clear.

Mathys Tel’s 35th-minute stunner had cancelled out an impressive opener from Freiburg captain Christian Guenter, before Jamal Musiala’s spectacular solo effort looked to have snared the three points for Bayern.

Hoeler however had other ideas, chipping a volley through a crowded Bayern penalty area and past a helpless Manuel Neuer.

Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel criticised his players’ “body language and lack of bite” in the first half an hour, telling DAZN “we played completely without structure and had no discipline and weren’t in our positions.”

SPONSORED CONTENT

Electrifying windows of opportunity in Sabah - The right policies, collaborations, and strategies can turn emerging opportunities into victories for all parties in Sabah.

CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor’s 2021 Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya Plan and the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) have laid out a road map to an exciting future for all Sabahans, with a target of increasing Sabah’s income levels and GDP per capita from about RM 23,000 to about RM 40,000 by 2030.

Calling his side “panicky”, Tuchel said: “We did things that we’ve never trained, that we’ve never spoken about.

“We played like it was the 85th minute and we were a goal down.”

Musiala told DAZN he felt “frustrated”.

“Since I’ve been at Bayern it’s been in my head that we must win and we hate to lose. We want to win the Bundesliga, we want to win titles,” he said.

Bayern have now failed to win away from home in four matches dating back to January in both the Bundesliga and Champions League.

Tuchel’s side face Lazio at home in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday, staring down an early exit with a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Rome.

Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen can go 10 points clear of the Bavarians with a win against lowly Cologne in their derby clash on Sunday as they chase a first-ever Bundesliga title.

“We played a good game” Freiburg’s Vincenzo Grifo told DAZN. “It’s clear that you have to suffer against Bayern.”

Guenter blasted the hosts into the lead after 12 minutes, unleashing a spinning rocket from outside the box and into the bottom right of the goal.

The goal was the Freiburg captain’s first of the season and the club’s only strike from outside the box this campaign.

Not content to allow Guenter to dominate the highlights reel, Tel hit back with a dream goal of his own, curling in a long-range effort on his second league start this season.

With 15 minutes remaining, and Bayern dominating possession but failing to carve out clear chances, Musiala dribbled past three Freiburg defenders and blasted a low shot into the right corner.

“Simply instinct” said Musiala of the goal. “You try and you dribble and see what you can create.”

Despite holding the lead Bayern grew passive, dropping deep to hold onto their slender lead.

With just three minutes of regular time remaining, Hoeler held off several Bayern defenders and chipped a volley over Neuer and into the goal.

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.

* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00