Bayern drop points again with draw at Freiburg

The Bundesliga title is slipping away from Bayern Munich after Thomas Tuchel’s side dropped more points with a 2-2 draw away at SC Freiburg.

Freiburg forward Lucas Holer scored an 87th-minute goal to snatch a point for the hosts and further dent Bayern’s title hopes.

The draw leaves Bayern seven points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who can open up the gap at the top of the table to 10 points with a win over Cologne on Sunday in a game which is live on Sky Sports (kick-off 2.30pm).


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Sunday 3rd March 2:30pm

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Freiburg started and ended the game well. They took the lead in the 12th minute through captain Christian Gunter’s powerful strike.

However, Bayern hit back through a rocket of a shot from Mathys Tel (35) before Jamal Musiala’s stunning solo effort (75) looked to be sending the visitors to a crucial victory.

However, Holer’s late show stunned Tuchel’s side, and their Bundesliga title hopes now hang by a thread ahead of the crunch Champions League round-of-16 second-leg tie against Lazio in midweek.

More to follow…

The goals…

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Christian Gunter fires home the first goal of the night against Bayern Munich following a superb double save from Manuel Neuer

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Mathys Tel superbly strikes in an equaliser for Bayern Munich

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Jamal Musiala showcases his brilliant footwork and fires in Bayern Munich’s second

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Lucas Holer drives in amazing volley to level it against Bayern Munich and dampen their title hopes

What’s next?

Freiburg host West Ham United in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash on Thursday (8pm), while Bayern entertain Lazio looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday (8pm).

Is it advantage Liverpool over Bayern Munich for Alonso?

If there is a defining characteristic of Xabi Alonso, the metronomic player and now assured manager, it is that he is meticulous.

That descriptor was used by his former tactician Jose Mourinho, it is the same framing Granit Xhaka has plumped for, as well as the analysis of Bayer Leverkusen chief executive Fernando Carro.

Alonso doesn’t get swept up, seduced, overcome by pressure, or knocked off his stride. The clubs that most covet him in their dugout know this intimately; Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have all benefitted from that trait when he was scanning and shepherding play in the centre of the pitch.

Alonso’s clarity of mind has been evident in make-or-break moments. It would explain why Rafael Benitez selected him as the designated penalty taker for the 2005 Champions League final – despite the midfielder never having the experience of a professional spot kick.

It speaks to Pep Guardiola referring to him as a player with a coach’s brain and Carlo Ancelotti circling his “very high intelligence”.

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Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp hailed potential successor Alonso as a ‘standout’ manager after his incredible season so far with Bayer Leverkusen

So when it comes to the hottest managerial prospect in football making a decision over his future, there is one certainty: He will be surgical.

Real Madrid will knock in the near future, but Liverpool and Bayern are already jostling at Alonso’s door. Bayer are confident they can persuade the man casually making Bundesliga history to remain at the BayArena.

But if he does twist, which club provides a more compelling and stable project?

Sky Sports News’ Melissa Reddy analyses the situation after speaking to multiple sources in England and Germany.

The case for Liverpool…

The wholesome scenes at Wembley, where the club’s academy kids showed the bravery to burst Chelsea’s billion-pound bubble in the Carabao Cup final, will have emphasised what great health Jurgen Klopp leaves Liverpool in.

The first-team squad, in the mix for three more trophies this season despite a ridiculously long injury list, requires supplements and enhancements rather than any serious surgery.

The key players over 30 – Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Endo – have been stellar.

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Jamie Carragher analyses Bayer Leverkusen’s style of football under Alonso, and predicts how Liverpool would play if he was to succeed Klopp at Anfield

The conveyor belt of young talent is stacked, and the pathway is clear as evidenced throughout the Klopp era.

With time for dialogue and the commitment of the trio, there is no panic over the contract situations of Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Salah.

The Saudi Pro League will attempt to prise the Egyptian again but all indications are that he wants to continue competing at the highest level.

The direction of travel is clear at Anfield. Alonso wouldn’t just be inheriting one of the strongest squads in Europe, but a special bond between the players and supporters that was neatly showcased in the galvanising rendition of Allez, Allez, Allez during extra-time on Sunday.

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Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso reflects on his story so far as he discusses following in his father’s footsteps, coaching idols and what drew him to the Bundesliga side.

The house, harmony, and hope that Klopp has built is formidable and will endure under the right circumstances.

Alonso need not fear mimicking the German as Liverpool do not want a JK 2.0 or a lite version of him.

That does not alter the fact that it is daunting to succeed a man, who more than winning the lot, made people feel and believe through unforgettable shared experiences.

Alonso isn’t someone who lacks surety. That certainly came across during an interview in The Guardian two months ago, when he was asked about his future – specifically the speculation linking him with Real Madrid.

“It depends on if you want to be pushed to take other people’s decisions or if you want to make your own decisions,” Alonso said. “And so far I’ve been clear. I will take my own decisions when I feel it is the right moment for whatever.”

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Jamie Redknapp believes Bayer Leverkusen’s Alonso should replace Klopp as Liverpool manager at the end of this season

What will help him choose? “A little bit of intuition, a connection with the right moment in the right place.”

Questions over whether a Liverpool team geared to a more direct style of play is suited to Alonso’s possession-based preference ignores the evidence of his ability to adapt and underestimates the bandwidth of players to absorb new ideas.

His due diligence would also point to patience, empowerment, and non-interference from owners Fenway Sports Group.

The one sticking issue is Liverpool are concurrently searching for a sporting director, so Alonso doesn’t have clarity on who will be leading on a recruitment and football operations front.

Liverpool are determined to have an aligned triumvirate of decision-makers. FSG president Mike Gordon wants a solid, honest relationship between himself, the new manager and sporting director as was the case with Klopp and Michael Edwards.

Alonso knows the scale of competitors will be much higher at Liverpool, who cannot offer state-powered tools. He will need to help find the edges, to work within the club’s means.

Xabi Alonso
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What does the future hold for Alonso?

It will be harder to win, but for someone who outperformed his resources at both Real Sociedad B and Bayer, perhaps he will feel it is more rewarding.

The Premier League is unforgiving, with both Klopp and Guardiola repeatedly admitting it requires more of your time, energy and intensity than managing elsewhere.

Taking on the all-powerful Manchester City every season is no fun, which he can ask his childhood neighbour and close friend, Mikel Arteta.

Is Alonso equipped for that yet?

The case for Bayern Munich:

Winning is easier at Bayern, but losing leaves you in a critical condition – Julian Nagelsmann had overseen defeat in just three games across all competitions last season before he was sacked.

Thomas Tuchel, exiting in May, has been fortunate to last this long in contrast. Borussia Dortmund lost the title last season more than Bayern won it.

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Alonso insists his focus is solely on winning games with Bayer Leverkusen, amid speculation he could join either Bayern Munich or Liverpool in the summer

The German giants are so conditioned to success and regularly extracting the best gifts from their domestic threats, it prompts periods of complacency, but also a divorce from reality.

Bayern believe they should be lifting the European Cup. Failure in that competition is fatal for managers.

Since Klopp took charge at Liverpool, seven different faces have been at Bayern’s helm. There has been chaos at board level, perfectly summarised by previous bosses Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic sacking Nagelsmann in March 2023, only to be relieved of their own duties two months later.

The decision to fire Germany’s manager for the Euros was not universally popular within the club, which points at frayed structures.

Bayern’s honorary president Uli Hoeness publicly called it “unwise” and Herbert Hainer, chairman of the supervisory board, was annoyed at the short notice he was given.

Can the new core axis of Christoph Freund, Max Eberl and chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen swerve such division? Club legend Lothar Matthäus has already been very critical.

Alonso will be tuned in to how often the manager’s decisions are berated at Bayern. Tuchel recently complained that the media draw battle lines by favouring members of the squad and bristling when they do not start.

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Melissa Reddy discusses the favourite candidates to replace Klopp at the end of the season and why Liverpool will be interested in them

“You are the very first ones to make a complete difference and decide who sits on the bench or is substituted,” he said.

“Then there will be a week’s special broadcast about it. The same incident with another player and it is not discussed at all.”

Tuchel has accepted responsibility for poor performances and results, but reminded he is not the only problem at Bayern; a broadside at both the squad and the hierarchy.

It has been evident over recent years that Bayern insist on a coach with a clear philosophy without ensuring the team meshes with that identity.

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Kaveh Solhekol looks at the realistic options for Bayer Leverkusen manager Alonso as he becomes the front-runner for both the Liverpool and Bayern Munich jobs

The spine needs to be rebuilt and the average age of the group reduced. Perhaps the sales pitch is Alonso can construct a side in his image – but does recent history support that?

Real Madrid have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Alphonso Davies, Joshua Kimmich has been off-colour, leaving the leading lights as Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala.

Bayern will always be Bayern though and domestic dominance is sure to follow again soon. The turnover of coaches illustrates that hasn’t been enough though.

Would Alonso be afforded the time and space to properly work and meet continental expectations?

Stay at Leverkusen?

Alonso is scorching the earth with his beautifully efficient Bayer side – they are the only unbeaten team across all competitions in Europe’s major leagues – so it is easy to forget how early into this project he still is.

The Basque was appointed in October 2022 and there must be slight annoyance on his part at the timing of these mega-big gigs. Next summer offers more breathing room and development space than this one.

Alonso has previously held his nerve. Eberl, now Bayern’s director of sport, had tried to lure the young manager from Real Sociedad B to Borussia Monchengladbach in the early months of 2021.

“He told me, ‘I’m sorry but no thanks, it’s too early. I need more experience,'” Eberl reminded at a media briefing on Tuesday. “It was very impressive.”

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Highlights from the Bundesliga match between Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen and FSV Mainz 05

Should Alonso serve up the watershed season that is on the cards for Bayer, it’s difficult to envisage how he could improve or build on it.

The apex predators, including Bayern, will be circling to loot talent. The expectation, the pressure, the new normal will be different.

Given what he’s achieved in such a short amount of time, it feels unwise to bet against Alonso. It would be some statement to shun Liverpool and Bayern to continue on his current path.

It is testament to his work that Alonso already finds himself spoilt with such choices.

Kane nets late winner in front of Southgate to help Bayern beat Leipzig

Harry Kane scored twice in front of England boss Gareth Southgate as his stoppage-time winner gave Bayern Munich a 2-1 home win over RB Leipzig to go eight points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

Kane’s 91st-minute goal ended Bayern’s three-game losing run to hand a much-needed victory for boss Thomas Tuchel after it was announced he will leave the club at the end of the season.

The England captain put Bayern ahead in the 56th minute with a cool finish which put a smile on the face of Southgate, who was in attendance at the Allianz Arena.

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England boss Gareth Southgate was all smiles as Harry Kane opened the scoring for Bayern Munich against RB Leipzig

But Benjamin Sesko’s deflected 70th-minute leveller threatened to see Bayern lose more ground in the Bundesliga title race after Leverkusen continued their unbeaten season on Friday with a home win over Mainz.

Kane, though, rescued the win with a fantastic volleyed finish for his 27th league goal of the season to ensure Tuchel’s side remain in touch with Leverkusen.

How Kane salvaged win

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It had to be him! Harry Kane nets the winner for Bayern Munich in the 91st minute.

It has been a turbulent week in Munich following the news of Tuchel’s exit with the club facing its first trophy-less season in 12 years.

The disruption was evident in a poor first-half display from the reigning champions as they laboured against Leipzig with Kane their only bright spark.

The 30-year-old saw a fifth-minute header saved onto the post and then he attempted a spectacular overhead kick before half-time as he had the only two shots on target of the first half.

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Kane goes close to giving Bayern the lead in the first half

Leipzig were more adventurous early in the second half as Manuel Neuer was forced into action but Kane put Bayern ahead with a clinical finish as he collected a Jamal Musiala pass before drilling one low into the bottom corner much to the delight of the on-watching Southgate.

Leipzig, battling for a top-four finish and a spot in next season’s Champions League, responded to Kane’s opener well with Neuer making a fantastic save to deny Sesko when he was through one-on-one.

But Sesko did find a way past the Bayern captain as his shot took a deflection to wrong-foot the goalkeeper and bring Leipzig level.

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Bayern Munich fans at the Allianz Arena were left stunned as RB Leipzig levelled through Sesko

With the game headed for a draw, Tuchel brought on Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and the substitute made a difference as he neatly set up Kane who produced a brilliant left-footed finish to give Bayern a dramatic late victory.

The winner moves the former Tottenham striker nine goals clear of Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy in the race for the Bundesliga Golden Boot.

Kane now needs 14 goals in 11 games to equal the Bundesliga season record – 41 goals by ex-Bayern forward Robert Lewandowski in 2020/21.

Kane: We had to show a reaction

Harry Kane celebrates with Jamal Musiala
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Harry Kane celebrates with Jamal Musiala

Harry Kane speaking after the game:

“I thought it was a really good game from us. We were the team with the better chances in the game, particularly in the first half – we probably should have taken a couple there. But we were playing against a really good side. We had to show a reaction after the last week. It’s really nice to score a couple of goals and help the team get the win.

“I don’t think it was a relief. I back myself in any game to score. With the players that we have, we should get into more dangerous positions and I thought we did that today.

“The first goal was nice. Me and Jamal were working on that in training yesterday so it’s nice to see it come off. That’s what we need – more connections between each other.

“The club made a decision and as players we just have to show responsibility to the manager and the club. We know we haven’t been performing as well as we can but you can’t just sit there and sulk about it.”

What’s next for Bayern?

Bayern Munich’s next Bundesliga game sees them travel to Freiburg on Friday; kick-off 7.30pm, live on Sky Sports.

Bayern then face a crucial Champions League last-16 second leg against Lazio as they host Maurizio Sarri’s team on March 5, with the Serie A side holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg.