Bayern Munich maintained their place at the Bundesliga summit after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Freiburg at the Europa-Park Stadium, ending the hosts’ seven-match unbeaten league run. Freiburg might not have beaten Bayern in Bundesliga action since 2015 but having downed the ten-time consecutive champions in DFB-Pokal action in midweek, belief was high in Christian Streich’s unchanged squad. However, with Borussia Dortmund still very much in the title race despite Bayern’s Der Klassiker victory last Saturday, the visitors came out of the traps aggressively and Mark Flekken was forced into a fine stop by Serge Gnabry’s header just minutes in.Draped in glistening white, it looked for a while that Thomas Tuchel’s side’s attacking avalanches would see them take the lead. The interchangeability of Sadio Mané and Leroy Sané proved problematic for Freiburg early on, and the former sent a warning shot at the Freiburg backline when his wicked effort sailed past the post. But the hosts grew in confidence as the half progressed and after dealing with the remainder of Bayern’s pressure comfortably, Ritsu Dōan almost gave Freiburg the lead when his effort cannoned off the post.Despite dominating possession, Bayern had ended the half in a disappointing fashion with a lack of invention seeing them struggle to open up a Freiburg defence on a 12-match unbeaten league home run. Fortunately for the Bavarians, no such subtlety was required as they found the opener early in the second half, when Matthijs de Ligt smashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner from 25 yards.NAHHH that’s goal of the season contender from De Ligt… MY FUCKING CB pic.twitter.com/83YdhRb8CQ— Rick (@RickFCB_) April 8, 2023 That goal served to release pressure as the visitors went close to a second on numerous occasions in the closing stages, with Sané was guilty of spurning several opportunities before Gnabry again came close. A clear gameplan to frustrate their visitors had now been extinguished, leaving Freiburg caught between two minds, although Roland Sallai’s volley would have levelled scores if it wasn’t for an exceptional Yann Sommer stop.The hosts were unable to maintain attacking momentum however, and that effort was as close as they came to taking a point from a Bayern side which ultimately stumbled over the line. And despite the victory seeing them remain at the top of the Bundesliga tree, there may be little doubt that Tuchel will seek improvements when they meet Premier League champions Manchester City in midweek.Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund returned to winning ways as they overcame fellow Bundesliga title hopefuls Union Berlin in a 2-1 victory at Signal Iduna Park, keeping their perfect home league record against Die Eisernen intact in the process.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Dortmund followed their disappointing 4-2 Klassiker capitulation with a cup exit at the hands of RB Leipzig in midweek, but the famous Gelbe Wand was appropriately in full voice to rouse their side as they kicked off against perhaps their greatest threat to Bundesliga glory this season, besides of course Bayern Munich. The opening stages were more notable for penalty shouts than shooting chances, but appeals from the returning Karim Adeyemi and Jude Bellingham were waved away, with the former instead seeing his name taken for simulation.Although at kick-off these sides were separated by only two points in this season’s captivating Bundesliga title battle, Dortmund’s home advantage made them strong favourites, and they seized the advantage inside half an hour. Following some tricky play in the build-up, Donyell Malen ghosted unchecked into the Union box to get on the end of Raphaël Guerreiro’s whipped cross, which the Dutchman duly finished.GOAL | Dortmund 1-0 Union BerlinDonyell Malenpic.twitter.com/fiwhMpM3py— VAR Tático (@vartatico) April 8, 2023 Drawing confidence from gaining the lead, Dortmund remained in control, and generated yet more chances. Having just recorded his 10th league assist of the season, Guerreiro floated in another ball from the left side, but this time Frederik Rønnow was able to get across quickly to keep out Sébastien Haller’s header.Die Schwarzgelben may have been rueing their missed chances in the first half as Union Berlin came out of the tunnel with heightened purpose and belief. The physical presence of Kevin Behrens had been the most promising aspect of Union’s attack before halftime, and he was used to full effect as the capital side netted an unlikely equaliser. A long pass from the back was headed down by Behrens, who quickly spun around to receive the ball back from Sheraldo Becker and place into the bottom corner, with Gregor Kobel in no man’s land.GOAL | Dortmund 1-1 Union Berlin Kevin Behrenspic.twitter.com/6jpfsEBVLi— VAR Tático (@vartatico) April 8, 2023 To his disbelief, Behrens was immediately subbed off, but that didn’t stop Union creating chances, and they would almost certainly have taken the lead through Becker, if not for a last-ditch Guerreiro challenge.Edin Terzić also looked to turn the game in his side’s favour with substitutes, and his replacements combined to restore Dortmund’s lead. Marco Reus’ progress upfield was halted by Paul Seguin, but the Union midfielder only played through Youssoufa Moukoko, who rounded the goalkeeper and sent the Signal Iduna Park into raptures. A late chance for Jamie Bynoe-Gittens almost extended the scoreline in Dortmund’s favour, but they still saw out the win, keeping pace with Bayern at the top of the table while potentially ending Union’s hopes of a maiden Bundesliga title.Moukoko what a goal!! 🔥🔥🔥Borussia Dortmund take the lead again! 2-1#BVBFCU pic.twitter.com/IwUkVpR1zW— Top Corner Podcast (@TopCornerPod) April 8, 2023 BUNDESLIGA – ROUND 27SaturdayAugsburg – Koln 1-3 (1-2)/Vargas 29 – Skhiri 7, Martel 16, Maina 59/Leverkusen – Eintr.Frankfurt 3-1 (2-0)/Adli 10, Diaby 34, Azmoun 90+5 – Sow 74/Dortmund – Union Berlin 2-1 (1-0)/Malen 28, Moukoko 80 – Behrens 61/Freiburg – Bayern 0-1 (0-0)/De Ligt 52/Mainz – Werder 2-2 (0-0)/Ajorque 86, Weiper 90+4 – Stage 87, Fullkrug 90+5/19:30: (6.00) Hertha (4.00) RB Leipzig (1.65)Sunday16:30: (2.50) M’ gladbach (3.50) Wolfsburg (2.95)18:30: (3.05) Bochum (3.45) Stuttgart (2.45)20:30: (2.00) Hoffenheim (3.50) Schalke (3.80)***odds are subject to change***
