Bayern reclaim Bundesliga top after surviving late Freiburg scare

Bayern Munich returned to the top of the Bundesliga with a 3-1 victory at Freiburg on Sunday, overcoming the absence of head coach Vincent Kompany before surviving a late fightback from the host, reported Xinhua.

Assistant coach Aaron Danks took charge after Kompany collapsed on Friday and remained under medical supervision. Bayern was also missing several key players, including Manuel Neuer, Kim Min-jae, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Jamal Musiala and Luis Diaz, while Joshua Kimmich was unavailable following a family bereavement.

Despite its selection problems, the defending champion controlled proceedings from the outset and broke the deadlock through Dayot Upamecano in the 16th minute.

The French defender blocked Niklas Beste's attempt near his own penalty area before launching a counterattack. After exchanging passes with Konrad Laimer and Michael Olise, Upamecano continued his run and finished calmly past Freiburg goalkeeper Mio Backhaus.

Freiburg responded when Lucas Hoeler met Jordy Makengo's delivery, but Jonathan Tah intervened to deny the striker. Bayern maintained its attacking pressure, with Backhaus producing a fine save to keep out Nathaniel Brown.

However, the goalkeeper was beaten again in the 42nd minute when Serge Gnabry collected Brown's return pass and slipped his finish through Backhaus's legs, registering his 100th Bundesliga goal.

Bayern continued to dominate after the interval. Harry Kane headed over before Backhaus frustrated Ismael Saibari and later denied further Bayern opportunities.

Freiburg unexpectedly revived its hopes in the 82nd minute when Tom Bischof diverted Makengo's cross into his own net. The host then pressed for an equalizer, forcing Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig into crucial saves from Igor Matanovic and Matthias Ginter.

Olise eventually settled the contest in stoppage time, capitalizing on a misplaced pass from Backhaus to score from distance into an empty net.

"I am very satisfied with the performance. We knew from the beginning that this would be a very difficult away game. They are a top team and currently in very good form," Danks said.

Bayern leads Borussia Dortmund on goal difference, with both sides on 17 points from seven matches. Freiburg remains third with 13 points.

Elsewhere, Hoffenheim defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 through an Andrej Kramaric penalty and late goals from Alexander Prass and Max Moerstedt. Prass was subsequently sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Leverkusen remains fourth, while Hoffenheim climbs to 10th.