Robert Lewandowski smashed the record for most goals in a Bundesliga season by a non-German national for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the Bayern Munich champions stretched their unbeaten streak to 19 league matches with victory over Freiburg.
After their midweek title wrap was quickly dissipated as Thomas Müller shot high and Sarpreet Singh drove in a one-sided opener over a black-and-white shirt, any expectations Freiburg had about Bayern being in party mode.
The 29-time champions went duly ahead in the 16th minute when Lewandowski teed Joshua Kimmich from the edge of the box for a sweet side-footed finish, before getting himself into the action.
Alexander Schwolow could only parry from Leon Goretzka after Müller’s brilliantly unorthodox play, allowing Lewandowski to lead the 32nd Bundesliga goal of his season and set a new record for a foreign-born player in the process.
Before Lewandowski turned in the low cross of Lucas Hernandez to restore Bayern’s two-goal cushion, Lucas Höler massively reduced the arrears from close range against the play run.
Müller drew a flying save from Alexander Schwolow shortly before the half-time whistle, and was involved for Bayern in the first real opening of the second period. But at the end of a pass that was crying out in the top corner for a precision finish, Michael Cuisance could only blaspheme his stand-in captain’s lay-off over.
Freiburg did not fold, but Manuel Neuer Sven Ulreich’s understudy was not seriously disturbed either, with Luca Waldschmidt ‘s replacement thrashing wide from Nils Petersen with his side ‘s best half move.
Earlier in the contest, Bayern lacked the chutzpah that underpinned their every move but continued to pick holes in the visiting defense as Hernandez shot wide and Müller combined with the almost devastating effect of Joshua Zirkzee ‘s replacement. U.S. defender Chris Richards and 17-year-old Jamal Musiala were granted their Bundesliga debuts with the game sewn up at the closing stages.
Fribourg has gone home with their UEFA Europa League qualification hopes due to a spirited display.
