Bayern Munich’s defence is letting them down. The Bavarians were shocked on matchday 15 by Borussia Monchengladbach who came from two-goals down at the half to win 3-2.
They followed up that league loss by drawing 2-2 with Bundesliga 2 club Holstein Kiel in the German Cup and lost on penalties 6-5 in midweek. For the first time since Eintracht Frankfurt in 2018, there will be a team other than Bayern Munich lifting the DFB Pokal this season.
Freiburg will fancy their chances at the Allianz Arena on Sunday. The Black Forest club are eighth in the league having secured 23 points from 45 possible in the league.
Christian Streich’s team are on a brilliant five-match winning streak which has them atop the Bundesliga form table. Bayern Munich won’t have it easy against Freiburg and the pressure could be ratcheted up if RB Leipzig win on Saturday versus Wolfsburg.
Bayern Munich were let off the hook last weekend after an injury-ravaged RB Leipzig lost to Borussia Dortmund, 3-1. The Bavarians may not be so lucky this week and need to defeat Freiburg to ensure they stay in first place.
The Bavarians won both matches in 2019-20 against Freiburg by 3-1 scorelines respectively. The prior campaign in 2018-19, Freiburg did snatch two draws against Bayern Munich in the league.
Hansi Flick’s issues are in Bayern Munich’s central defence. David Alaba’s contract is up next summer and that is causing distractions. Jerome Boateng is ageing and out of form. Meanwhile, Niklas Sule is out of form and the central defence is making mistakes.
Winger Serge Gnabry should be fit to take his place in Bayern Munich’s attack. He has been suffering from an ankle issue in recent weeks. While Leroy Sane has been inconsistent and Douglas Costa a disappointment, Gnabry has remained one of the team’s offensive stars.
Streich has four players on the Freiburg injury list. Chang-Hoon Kwon is out until February with a knee injury. Jonathan Schmid could return to the team for the game on Sunday but is a doubt as it stands. Gianluca Itter and Mark Flekken could both return to the team for the trip to Bayern.
Freiburg’s last win against Bayern Munich came during the 2014-15 Bundesliga season. They have failed to win their last eight games versus the Bavarians. That trend should continue this weekend as Bayern Munich win.
The teams could replicate their 3-1 scoreline from last season. Both matches in 2019-20 finished by the same 3-1 scoreline.