In a dramatic, last-second 3-2 victory for FC Bayern Munich against SC Freiburg on Bundesliga Matchday 28, two young stars particularly stood out. One impressed from the outset, netting two crucial goals. The other, after a prolonged period of underperformance, also scored a decisive goal. Here are the FCB player ratings and individual critiques from the thrilling 3-2 win in Freiburg.
Two stoppage-time goals secured Bayern Munich a hard-fought victory in Freiburg. In the 3-2 encounter against a strong SC Freiburg side that eventually showed signs of fatigue, Johan Manzambi (46th minute) and Lucas Höler (71st minute) initially put Freiburg ahead. However, Tom Bischof (81st / 90+2 minutes), Bayern’s standout performer, and the previously struggling Lennart Karl (90+9 minutes) orchestrated a remarkable turnaround to clinch the win.
SC Freiburg — FC Bayern: Manuel Neuer
His first game since March 6th and his debut as a 40-year-old. Neither his age nor the break showed. A minor error in passing nearly led to an early goal for Eggestein. However, he handled Best’s free-kick without issue and made a superb save from Höler’s powerful shot. While his teammates struggled to create much in the first half, Neuer was absolutely reliable. Powerless against the first goal, and though he initially saved the shot leading to the second goal, the rebound unfortunately fell to scorer Höler. Unlucky, but the goal cannot be blamed on him. Rating: Good (2.5)
SC Freiburg — FC Bayern: Josip Stanisic
As in recent weeks, Stanisic interpreted his right-back role quite offensively, delivering over a third of his passes in the final third. He made very few errors in one-on-one duels against Freiburg’s tenacious players. Moved to central defense after Tah’s substitution. A stable performance. Rating: Average (3)
SC Freiburg — FC Bayern: Jonathan Tah
Received an early yellow card (25th minute) for fouling Suzuki’s sprint towards the box. Made two crucial clearances against Eggestein and one against Höler. Was substituted after Freiburg’s first goal, for which he bore no blame. Rating: Passable (3.5)
SC Freiburg — FC Bayern: Minjae Kim
The second Bayern center-back wasn’t solely responsible for the surprisingly shaky display from the German record champions for long periods. However, before Freiburg’s second goal, he unfortunately misjudged the corner kick and then deflected it. Rating: Struggling (4)
SC Freiburg — FC Bayern: Tom Bischof
Even if Bayern had only drawn, Tom Bischof would have been the game’s undeniable winner. Rarely has anyone so deserved the title of ‘winner’ as the 20-year-old. Nominally playing as a left-back, he was Bayern’s most noticeable attacking player from the start. He created Bayern’s first two (though harmless) chances and was involved in most of the dangerous or semi-dangerous actions during Bayern’s weak first half. He also provided the cross for Michael Olise’s big chance shortly after his substitution. His long-range shot for the 2-1 and then another long-range shot for the 2-2 equalizer were simply the logical outcome of his performance. Bischof was the driving force of a team that, for much of the afternoon, played with unusual imprecision. Rating: Excellent (1.5)
SC Freiburg — FC Bayern: Joshua Kimmich
Had a tough time against the tactically astute Freiburg side. While his passes connected with teammates, they often went into less threatening areas. He failed to provide structure and gravity to the game that could have led to dominance. An uncharacteristically weak performance from the midfield maestro – until he suddenly sprang to life! Ten minutes before the end, he had the chance to make it 2-2 with a long-range shot, only to be denied by the strong Atubolu. Then, in the ninth minute of stoppage time, he played such a clever pass that Alphonso Davies merely had to sprint and cross, leaving Lennart Karl with a tap-in for the 3-2 winner. Rating: Passable (3.5)
SC Freiburg — FC Bayern: Leon Goretzka
Even less involved in the game than Kimmich, he was easily beaten by Manzambi after fifteen minutes, leading to Freiburg’s best chance up to that point. He was also quite passive against the outstanding Manzambi for the first goal. Substituted for Pavlovic in the second half. Rating: Poor (5)
SC Freiburg — FC Bayern: Lennart Karl
Had very few meaningful actions in the first half until the 43rd minute when he found space, made an irresistible run towards the penalty area, and curled a dangerous shot towards goal. Atubolu saved it, but at least it proved Karl was actually on the pitch. Immediately after the break, he lost possession, which directly led to Manzambi’s well-deserved 1-0 for Freiburg. He was also easily outmaneuvered by Höler for his big chance in the 54th minute. After Michael Olise’s substitution, he moved from the right half-position to the number 10 role. From there, he played the ball to Bischof before the 2-1 goal and ultimately scored the 3-2 winner with a poacher’s finish in the center-forward position. He not only redeemed his afternoon but also scored Bayern’s 100th goal of the season. Thus, a rating of 5 quickly turned into a: Rating: Passable (3.5)
SC Freiburg — FC Bayern: Raphael Guerreiro
Thanks to absences in the attacking midfield and Vincent Kompany’s rotation in the offensive line behind the striker, he made his first Bundesliga start since late December. The Portuguese, who is set to leave FC Bayern in the summer, covered a lot of ground and tried to occupy many positions. However, he rarely got on the ball and certainly didn’t make a decisive impact. Rating: Poor (5)
SC Freiburg — FC Bayern: Luis Diaz
He seemed to lack passing options, working hard as always but without his usual magic. He had a tough time against Freiburg, who sometimes marked him with three players. In the 43rd minute, somewhat by chance after Karl’s shot, he attempted an overhead kick that turned into a pass for Bischof instead of a shot on goal. He genuinely grew stronger once Olise and Musiala were on the pitch, with his curled shot towards the top corner only denied by Atubolu. Rating: Struggling (4)
SC Freiburg — FC Bayern: Serge Gnabry
Nominally started in the center-forward position but dropped back into virtually every outfield position. Generated so little goal threat that he even hit a free-kick from a very promising position straight into the wall. His first shot on goal, shortly before half-time, was a powerful long-range effort that narrowly missed. He allowed Manzambi to run free before Freiburg’s first goal. Rating: Poor (5)
SC Freiburg — FC Bayern: Substitutes
Michael Olise: Came on for Guerreiro and was on the pitch for only a few seconds when he latched onto Bischof’s cross and almost put the ball in the net. It wasn’t the 1-1, but it was Bayern’s best chance of the game until then. After Freiburg’s 2-0, he forced Atubolu into a brilliant save. He provided the pass before Bischof’s 2-2 equalizer. The most active true attacking player. Rating: Good (2.5)
Konrad Laimer: Replaced the yellow-carded Tah, trying to boost the pressing on the right flank. With mixed success. Had a chance to score the 3-2 in the 97th minute. Rating: Average (3)
Aleksandar Pavlovic: Came on for Goretzka in the 56th minute. Was on the ball more often in 35 minutes than Goretzka had been previously, and Kimmich also seemed to benefit from Pavlovic’s passing ability. Rating: Passable (3.5)
Jamal Musiala: Came on for Gnabry in the 65th minute. Had one chance that Atubolu saved for a corner. Rating: Passable (3.5)
Alphonso Davies: Replaced Kim, chased down Kimmich’s pass, and delivered the cross to Karl for the 3-2 winner. This substitution truly made an impact. Unrated (due to limited time).