S. Stegemann
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90'
+ 6
THANKS FOR JOINING US
We hope you enjoyed tonight's pulsating encounter between Freiburg and Bayern. The hosts can consider themselves pretty unlucky to come away empty-handed after they clawed their way back into the game, but in the end a special night for 18-year-old Zirkzee has kept Bayern very much in the title race. Fear not, the Bundesliga will be back in just two days as Dortmund go to Hoffenheim in the Matchday 17 opener. Do tune in again then.
90'
+ 6
ZIRKZEE TO THE RESCUE
Joshua Zirkzee not only scored on his Bundesliga debut, that was basically his first touch in the German top flight after replacing Coutinho late on. The 18-year-old joined the Bayern youth setup from Feyenoord two years ago, and was promoted to the reserves this summer. He came off the bench in last week's Champions League win over Tottenham, but I suspect this cameo will earn him rather more headlines.
90'
+ 6
BAYERN AT THE DEATH
It wasn't always pretty from the record champions, but after dominating the first 20 minutes and the last two(!), they've managed to keep pace with the Bundesliga front-runners. Flick's side move level on points with Dortmund, and are now just four off top spot.
90'
+ 6
BAYERN CELEBRATING
The Bayern players gather in a circle after the full-time whistle is blown and celebrate that dramatic late victory. They've now gone over to enjoy it with the fans as well. What an ending to this game.
Full-time
90'
+ 6
KICK-OFF
Grifo and Höfler get us underway again.
90'
+ 5
AND GNABRY MAKES IT THREE!
The Germany international adds gloss to the scoreline with his fifth of the campaign.
90'
+ 4
ZIRKZEEING IS BELIEVING
What a way for the 18-year-old Dutchman to announce himself on the big stage! How important could that goal prove to be in this season's title race?
90'
+ 3
Substitution
90'
+ 2
ZIRKZEE WINS IT FOR BAYERN!
Incredible scenes! Youth player Joshua Zirkzee has won it for Bayern, about two minutes into his Bundesliga debut!
90'
+ 1
BORRELLO!
Günter's free-kick is diverted nicely into the path of Borrello, but he blasts well over from inside the area! What a chance. Four minutes of time added on.
90'
Substitution
87'
HÖFLER!
A brilliant ball up the middle but Höfler can't quite get a shot away before he's tackled by Alaba and Kimmich. Freiburg looking closer to a winner than Bayern at the moment.
85'
KIMMICH FOR LEWY
Kimmich picks Borrello's pocket out on the right flank and looks to find Lewandowski in the middle, but the cross is too hard and the Pole can't get his header on target.
83'
FREIBURG APPLYING PRESSURE
A bit of a scramble in the Bayern area after a Freiburg corner, but the visitors finally get the danger clear. You sense there could just be an upset in the offing here.
79'
HÖFLER NUTMEGS COUTINHO
Never thought I'd write that.
78'
BORRELLO! GNABRY!
The Aussie only replaced Grifo a second ago, and almost joins him on the scoresheet after controlling a long free-kick, cutting inside and firing just wide of the mark. And now Gnabry has had a goal disallowed for a Lewandowski offside! Chaos.
75'
Substitution
72'
BAYERN LIVING DANGEROUSLY
Petersen comes within a whisker of giving the Freiburg the lead after a cross from Günter, but Bayern manage to clear the danger after some last-ditch defending. Very hard to predict how this one is going to turn out! Grifo has just had another effort, but it's easy for Neuer.
69'
LEWY BOOKED
Under pressure from Koch, the Pole can't quite get on the end of a neat cross from Kimmich - and he's furious when a goal-kick is given instead of a corner. So much so that he goes in the book for dissent. That's now four yellow cards for the season - one more and he'll serve a one-game suspension.
65'
FANTASTIC FLEKKEN!
Gnabry shows some fancy footwork to get to the byline and cut a ball across the area for Perisic, whose well-struck effort is tipped over for a corner by Flekken. An incredible stop from the Freiburg keeper.
63'
Substitution
61'
PETERSEN! HÖFLER!
Freiburg have their tails up and it could be 2-1! Goalscorer Grifo turns Gnabry on the left flank and whips one in for Petersen, who can't quite steer it on target. About 40 seconds later, Höfler drills one just wide of the post. Bayern are MIA!
58'
GRIFO GETS THE EQUALISER!
And Freiburg are level! Excellent work from substitute Kwon out on the right touchline - he keeps the ball alive under pressure from two Bayern players and squares for Haberer, whose cross is turned home at the back post by Vincenzo Grifo! Game on.
56'
HABERER USING HIS HEAD
Müller sends in a wicked ball for Lewandowski, but Haberer manages to nod it clear. Pretty end-to-end at the moment.
54'
Substitution
53'
MÜLLER OVER THE TOP
Müller wins the ball back from Höfler on the edge of the Freiburg area and half-volleys an effort over the bar. It's game over for Frantz meanwhile - he's replaced by Kwon after picking up what looks like a muscle injury.
50'
YELLOW FOR MÜLLER
There haven't been many fouls in this game, but Müller goes into the book after bringing down Höler from behind. That was a handy-looking counter for Freiburg.
47'
GNABRY!
Just after Alaba has a long-distance effort comfortably saved by Flekken, Gnabry finds himself in a shooting position inside the area but rifles over the bar. He should have hit the target there.
Kick-off!
45'
+ 1
PLAYERS BACK ON THE PITCH
Second half download is almost complete.
45'
+ 1
A HALF OF TWO HALVES!
Bayern came out all guns blazing, but after taking the lead through Lewandowski - who else? - they rather stepped off the gas, and Freiburg could easily have equalised before the break. Not a bad half of football, anyway - there were 19 shots on goal! Stay with us to find out whether the champions can hold on to the three points and make the most of Dortmund's barnstorming draw with Leipzig last night.
Half-time
43'
COUTINHO AGAIN
A low drive from the Brazilian, comfortably gathered by Flekken. In theory this is one of the Freiburg keeper's last league games of the season, with No.1 keeper Alexander Schwolow nearly fit again. He has certainly been a solid stand-in, and makes another stop to keep out Perisic before the referee blows for half-time.
41'
ANOTHER FREIBURG CHANCE!
Grifo is the provider this time, but his teasing cross from the left is just beyond the reach of Petersen and Haberer. Manuel Neuer shares a little joke with Haberer after the ball has gone out of play - but he won't be laughing long if his team keep defending like they are at the moment...
40'
CLOSE!
A deflected Gnabry effort falls nicely for Coutinho, who manages to unleash just before getting tackled - the ball has a bit of a spin on it and goes inches wide of the post.
38'
GRIFO!
What a chance for Freiburg! Bayern switch off again at the back and Frantz puts in another superb ball from the right - this time it falls to Grifo, whose first-time volley flies over the bar. They barely had a sniff for the first 25 minutes or so, but the hosts may just be starting to feel they can get back into this...
36'
LEWY LIVELY
The Pole is on the ball again on the edge of the Freiburg area, but attempts a shimmy too many and loses possession, with Perisic then conceding a free-kick. Bayern are sitting a bit deeper now after their high-octane start.
35'
LEWY THE LOCK PICKER
Lewandowski has now opened the scoring with six of his 19 Bundesliga strikes this term. He's joint-top of that particular chart, along with Düsseldorf's Rouwen Hennings.
31'
WORLD-CLASS FROM NEUER!
A rare Freiburg foray into Bayern territory, and Germany No.1 Manuel Neuer produces a sensational save to deny Höler from Frantz's cross. What a stop.
29'
FREIBURG BEING PUSHED BACK
The hosts are having a hard time squeezing their way past Bayern's high pressing game. There was a beautiful long ball out to Grifo a moment ago, but he had strayed offside - much to Christian Streich's consternation.
26'
ALABA BACK ON
It appears the Bayern man - playing at centre-back, remember, in the absence of Süle, Hernandez et al. - is OK. He seemed to pick up a minor knock after bumping into Pavard.
25'
ALABA GETTING TREATMENT
The Austria international appears to have a problem with his left ankle. This is all Bayern need, another defensive injury! Play continues with the visitors down to 10.
24'
COUTINHO OVER THE TOP
More Bayern pressure, but the Brazilian scoops his effort over the bar. The champions are certainly living up to their reputation at the moment.
20'
LEWY JUST WIDE!
A gorgeous flick from Müller puts Lewandowski in again, but this time Flekken gets his fingertips to the effort and it's out for a corner. The prolific Pole now has 15 goals in 15 career meetings with Freiburg in the Bundesliga.
19'
HANDBAGS!
A little bit of a scuffle between Lewandowski and Heintz, but it's nothing too serious, play goes on...
16'
LEWY OPENS THE SCORING!
Goal number 19 of the season for Lewandowski, but what amazing work from Davies in the build-up. The Canadian leaves Höfler for dead down the left flank, then whips in a brilliant ball that the Pole only has to stab past Flekken for 1-0.
14'
HÖLER WELL OVER
Signs of life from the hosts as Günter plays a gorgeous cross-field ball from left to right for Petersen. His ball back into the middle is picked up by Höler, who fires high into the stands. Freiburg are going to be sitting deep and hitting on the counter, you'll be surprised to hear.
11'
GNABRY FROM DISTANCE
The Germany international doesn't get hold of his shot properly and it sails harmlessly wide. I think Freiburg have just had three passes in the Bayern half for the first time all game.
9'
BREATHLESS BAYERN
There hasn't been a moment of respite for the Freiburg defence, with Bayern coming at them from all angles. Can they weather the storm?
7'
BAYERN TURNING THE SCREW
Another ball in from Perisic looking for Lewandowski, but Freiburg scramble it clear. Gnabry then wins it back with a tackle any centre-back would be proud of, and his cross goes for a corner. In it comes - a brilliant save from Flekken to deny Pavard, and then Müller hits the post with the rebound! It's all happening lads.
3'
BAYERN LOOKING LIVELY
And now Perisic whips a teasing cross into the Freiburg box, but nobody is there to get on the end of it... a high-tempo start from Hansi Flick's side.
2'
SPEAK OF THE DEVIL!
Barely a minute on the clock and Coutinho almost puts Bayern in front after latching onto Alaba's brilliant ball through the middle. His little chip over Flekken is cleared off the line!
1'
KICK-OFF!
We're underway in the Black Forest! Can Freiburg spring a surprise against the record champions - and can they keep a red-hot Coutinho quiet?
Kick-off!
HISTORY WITH BAYERN
This is the 39th Bundesliga meeting between these teams, with Bayern winning 26 of the 38 matches so far - a figure that equates to a whopping 64 per cent of the time. There have been eight draws, while Freiburg have one just four times, most recently in May 2015.
STREICH CONFIDENT BUT WARY OF COUTINHO
“We’re looking forward to the game and putting on a good match under the floodlights, the people aren’t just coming to see Bayern – they want to see us too,” said Freiburg head coach Christian Streich at his pre-match press conference, before issuing a warning about Bayern playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who scored a hat-trick and provided two assists against Bremen at the weekend: “He’s an extremely intelligent player who’s got perfect technique, is quick on the ball and knows where the goal is.”
HOPE FOR FREIBURG
The statistics might be against them, but Freiburg will certainly not be going into this one feeling defeated before kick-off. Christian Streich's men are enjoying their best ever start to a Bundesliga campaign, as illustrated by the fact they would even go a point above Bayern with a win here. The Black Forest side also had the third-best defensive record going into Matchday 16 (only Wolfsburg and Leipzig had conceded fewer than their 18). Freiburg have also only lost once on home turf this season, letting in just six goals on their own patch - a Bundesliga best in 2019/20!
LEWANDOWSKI REELED IN
Can Robert Lewandowski pull away at the top of the scoring chart again? The Polish hitman has led the way for most of the season, but Timo Werner's brace yesterday now means both players have 18 goals this term. It's hard to imagine a striker as competitive as Lewy standing for that now, isn't it?
CHANCE FOR BAYERN
After Dortmund and Leipzig both dropped points in their 3-3 draw yesterday, this game presents Bayern with an opportunity to make up ground on the top three. A win here would mean they leapfrog Dortmund into third, level on 30 points but with a superior goal difference, four points adrift of top spot.
FREIBURG STARTING LINE-UP:
Flekken - Gulde, Koch, Heintz - Frantz (c), Haberer, Höfler, Günter - Grifo, Petersen, Höler
FREIBURG SUBS:
Thiede, Schlotterbeck, Abrashi, Borrello, Itter, Kwon, Keitel
BAYERN STARTING LINE-UP:
Neuer (c) - Kimmich, Pavard, Alaba, Davies - Thiago - Gnabry, Müller, Coutinho, Perisic - Lewandowski
BAYERN SUBS:
Ulreich, Martinez, Dajaku, Boateng, Singh, Mai, Zirkzee
Welcome along to the match centre for the game Freiburg vs. FC Bayern from matchday 16 of the 2019/20 Bundesliga season at the Schwarzwald-Stadion. Check back here for full information on the match.