It was a fitting fixture for the first sell-out at the Europa-Park Stadion. 34,700 fans created a fine atmosphere for SC’s match against the reigning German champions, despite snow and freezing temperatures. “It’s always special to play against Bayern, but we don’t want to shrink in the face of the challenge,” said Christian Streich ahead of the match. After the final whistle, he was happy with the discipline his team showed, despite the defeat. “Bayern have these players of individual quality, and then you add their set-pieces onto that.”

Head coach Streich made two changes to the side which started the goalless draw in Fürth. In place of Ermedin Demirovic and Janik Haberer, the recovered Philipp Lienhart and Nicolas Höfler returned, the latter making his 250th appearance for SC. Höfler and his teammates started tentatively, with a back three in attack which turned into a back five off the ball, as Jonathan Schmid and Christian Günter joined the back line. The record champions had large spells of possession and played around in Freiburg’s final third. It took 13 minutes before the away side had their first sight of Mark Flekken’s goal. A cross from the left found Robert Lewandowski, but any attempt was denied by the block of Lienhart. Two minutes later, Leroy Sané then had an attempt from long range but Flekken was equal to it.

Little going forward, Flekken solid

It took around 20 minutes for SC to make a foray into Bayern territory, as Maxi Eggestein played the ball through to Lucas Höler, but the pass was just slightly overhit and Manuel Neuer claimed. Other than that, there were no real moments of action for the Bayern defence in the first half an hour – SC really had to be patient as the away side dominated the ball. The first chance for Streich’s side came on 32 minutes, as Vincenzo Grifo laid the ball off for Roland Sallai to shoot with his left foot but Neuer was on hand. Any attacking adventures were few and far between for SCF, as Bayern controlled the game without creating too many real chances. When the ball did get close to goal, like Sané’s 40th-minute corner or Coman’s shot from the edge of the area (45’), Flekken was on hand.

Petersen with milestone goal

The second half saw more of the same. Although not offering much in attack, Streich’s team were secure at the back. The visitors had control of the game but were unable to create many clear chances. Fortunately for SC, Thomas Müller couldn’t make much of a good chipped ball from Coman in the area. Just a few moments later, Flekken came for a Kimmich free kick but Leon Goretzka beat the goalkeeper to the ball to head in and open the scoring in the 58th minute.

The answer came through Nils Petersen. 17 seconds after coming off the bench, the forward had the ball in the back of the net. Not only was it the equaliser, but also his 100th goal for the club. Höler crossed the ball into the middle from the left, Günter layed it on to Petersen whose left-footed shot found the bottom corner of the goal. The game became more open after the goals. Bayern continued to have more of the ball but Freiburg were now more present going forward. Höler had a chance with a volley, but it was the visitors who found the back of the net next. Substitute Serge Gnabry, took advantage of a mistake by Nico Schlotterbeck to replenish the Bayern lead (73’). "Their second goal was a decisive moment of the game for me. We didn't defend that well," said Streich.

Bayern score again and strange scene on the touchline

Höler could not take advantage of a rare Kimmich mistake to level the scores in the 81st minute as he could not get the better of Neuer. At the other end, the visitors found the back of the net again and took a 3-1 lead. A long ball found Coman, who struck with his right to increase his team’s lead. Five minutes before full time, there was a strange scene. It turned out that for a short phase of the game, Bayern had twelve players on the pitch. After a few minutes, a bit of confusion, and some discussions later, the game continued and eight minutes of injury time were awarded. "I really don’t think we need to lodge an appeal, rather that there are a set of rules to be adhered to. We are all subject to that set of rules and those rules are acted upon. That is my understanding," said Streich on the matter. In the seventh minute of injury time, Bayern scored again, with Marcel Sabitzer finding the net to make it 4-1.