Bayern Munich returned to the top of the Bundesliga table on Sunday after defeating Freiburg 3-1 away from home, despite playing without head coach Vincent Kompany, who remains hospitalised after collapsing during training.
Defenders Dayot Upamecano and Serge Gnabry scored in the first half before Michael Olise sealed the victory in stoppage time, helping Bayern move above Borussia Dortmund ahead of their meeting next week.
Kompany was absent from the dugout after being admitted to hospital following his collapse on Friday.
The Belgian coach is undergoing medical examinations for an unidentified virus, with the club previously indicating that his recovery could take days rather than weeks.
Bayern assistant coach Aaron Danks, who took charge of the team, revealed that Kompany had sent him a congratulatory message after the match.
“I just opened my phone to a message from Vince saying ‘well done’ and he was happy,” Danks told DAZN.
“I just replied saying ‘brilliant — now go rest’. I sent him a kissing emoji, so hopefully he rests up.”
Bayern sporting director Max Eberl said Kompany’s condition was stable and that he was no longer experiencing a headache.
However, he added that doctors had yet to establish a definitive diagnosis.
The German champions arrived in the Black Forest without several key players, including injured captain Manuel Neuer, Luis Diaz, Jamal Musiala, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Kim Min-jae.
Germany captain Joshua Kimmich was also unavailable following the sudden death of his father.
Despite Freiburg’s early pressure, Bayern broke the deadlock in the 16th minute through Upamecano.
The French defender initiated a counterattack from deep inside his own half, combined with Olise and finished the move with a composed strike past goalkeeper Mio Backhaus.
Gnabry doubled Bayern’s advantage shortly before half-time, finishing Nathaniel Brown’s pass with a nutmeg on Backhaus.
Harry Kane came close to extending the lead late in the second half, but his effort was saved.
Freiburg immediately launched a counterattack that ended with Bayern midfielder Tom Bischof scoring an own goal, giving the hosts renewed hope.
Freiburg pushed forward in search of an equaliser, forcing Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig into important saves from Igor Matanovic during the closing stages.
However, their attacking approach left space at the back, which Olise exploited in stoppage time.
The French winger capitalised on Backhaus being caught high up the pitch and rolled the ball into an unguarded net to secure the three points.
The result lifted Bayern above Borussia Dortmund to the summit of the Bundesliga ahead of next week’s meeting between the two sides in Munich.
Hoffenheim end Leverkusen’s winning run
Meanwhile, Hoffenheim scored three late goals to beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 and end the visitors’ six-match winning streak.
The victory continued Hoffenheim’s impressive form after their 3-0 triumph over Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday, marking their third consecutive win.
Former Leverkusen forward Adam Hlozek came closest to scoring in the first half when his effort struck the post in the 38th minute.
The match appeared destined for a goalless draw until Leverkusen captain Edmond Tapsoba fouled Fisnik Asllani while defending a cross.
Following a video assistant referee review, the referee awarded Hoffenheim a penalty.
Andrej Kramaric converted from the spot in the 79th minute, scoring Hoffenheim’s 1,000th goal in Bundesliga history.
Leverkusen pushed for an equaliser, but Hoffenheim struck again on the counterattack through Alexander Prass.
The goalscorer was subsequently sent off after receiving a second yellow card for removing his shirt during his celebration.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Hoffenheim added a third goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time through Max Moerstedt to complete a convincing victory.
