Bayern Munich survive Freiburg fightback to stay top without Vincent Kompany

Bayern Munich maintained their position at the top of the Bundesliga with a 3-1 victory away to Freiburg in the seventh round of the season on Sunday.

The result took Bayern to 17 points, while Freiburg remain third on 13 points after suffering their first home defeat of the campaign.

Bayern were without manager Vincent Kompany, who collapsed at the training ground two days earlier after falling ill. Assistant coach Aron Danks took charge from the bench, as the players secured a result that gave their Belgian manager reason to celebrate from his hospital bed.

The visitors made the breakthrough in the 16th minute through Dayot Upamecano. The defender won possession himself before finding Michael Olise, then continued his run towards goal. When Olise returned the ball with a through pass, Upamecano was left facing the target and finished successfully.

Upamecano also helped Bayern preserve their lead shortly afterwards, blocking Lukas Holer’s effort as Freiburg threatened to equalise.

The match then opened up as Bayern increased the tempo of their attacking play. Olise tested the Freiburg defence with a shot in the 24th minute, while Lennart Karl tried his luck a minute later. Serge Gnabry also went close in the 28th minute, but none of the three attempts had the accuracy required.

Gnabry did find the net before half-time, however, doubling Bayern’s advantage in the 42nd minute. He converted after receiving a pass from Brown to score his 100th Bundesliga goal.

Harry Kane had Bayern’s first clear opportunity of the second half in the 57th minute, but his attempted header did not result in a goal.

Freiburg refused to surrender and were rewarded in the 82nd minute when Tom Bischof scored an own goal to reduce the deficit. The strike raised hopes of a late recovery for the home side and put Bayern under pressure in the closing stages.

The hosts’ response was ultimately halted in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time. Olise completed the scoring for Bayern with a goal that ended Freiburg’s attempt to draw level and secured all three points for the league leaders.

Bayern’s victory keeps them ahead at the summit, while Freiburg’s failure to take advantage of home advantage leaves them four points behind the champions after seven matches.