Freiburg 1-3 Bayern Munich: Upamecano stunner & Gnabry century as Bayern retake top spot

Bayern Munich returned to the top of the Bundesliga with a 3-1 victory at Freiburg, delivering a timely boost just two days after manager Vincent Kompany collapsed during training.

Under the temporary charge of assistant Aaron Danks, the champions produced a professional performance at the Europa-Park Stadion to move above Borussia Dortmund on goal difference ahead of next weekend’s Klassiker. Dayot Upamecano’s spectacular solo goal and Serge Gnabry’s landmark 100th Bundesliga strike put them firmly in control, before Michael Olise settled any late nerves with a stoppage-time clincher.

The visitors took the lead in the 16th minute with a moment of individual brilliance from Upamecano. The French defender blocked a shot near his own area, surged forward, and after the ball was worked through Harry Kane and on to Olise, received a perfectly weighted return pass. He raced clear and finished calmly through the legs of goalkeeper Mio Backhaus. It was the centre-back’s 11th league goal and one of the more remarkable of his career.

Bayern doubled their advantage three minutes before the interval. Nathaniel Brown slipped a precise pass into Gnabry, who squeezed a low shot from a tight angle through Backhaus’s legs for his century of Bundesliga goals on his 267th appearance. Only Andrej Kramaric and Kane among active players have reached that mark.

Freiburg, who had started the season strongly, improved after the break and forced the visitors into a more cautious approach. Their persistence was rewarded in the 82nd minute when Tom Bischof, under pressure from a dangerous cross, diverted the ball into his own net to give the hosts hope.

The final stages turned frantic. Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig produced a vital save to deny Matthias Ginter, while a goal by substitute Sacha Boey was ruled out. With Freiburg pushing high, Backhaus was caught in possession near the halfway line and Olise, from more than 30 yards, rolled the ball into the empty net in the fifth minute of added time to seal the points.

The result ended Freiburg’s impressive home record and left them fourth, four points off the summit. For Bayern it was a composed response under difficult circumstances, ensuring they head into the Dortmund clash as leaders once more.