In a thrilling 2:1 match, FC Bayern triumphed over SC Freiburg, sparking controversy over the second goal. Freiburg’s goalkeeper, Noah Atubolu, criticized referee Daniel Siebert for not reviewing the play involving Minjae Kim, who allegedly handled the ball. Coach Vincent Kompany of Bayern focused on the overall team performance rather than the contentious calls. Despite the victory, Bayern’s atmosphere was cautious, with players acknowledging upcoming challenges as they maintained a six-point lead in the title race.
FC Bayern’s Controversial Victory Over SC Freiburg
In a captivating match that ended with a 2:1 win for FC Bayern against SC Freiburg, the home team expressed significant frustration regarding the concession of the second goal. Goalkeeper Noah Atubolu voiced his dissatisfaction with referee Daniel Siebert’s decisions, while Bayern’s coach, Vincent Kompany, opted to refrain from commenting on the contentious moment.
Atubolu Questions Referee’s Decision
Noah Atubolu, Freiburg’s goalkeeper, was perplexed by the referee’s failure to review the second goal scored by Munich during their 1:2 defeat. He expressed his annoyance over what he considered an irregular header by Minjae Kim, which brought the score to 0:2 in the 54th minute. “I really found it frustrating,” Atubolu stated, highlighting his disbelief over the lack of a review for such a pivotal moment in the game.
Atubolu further elaborated, “It’s confusing why some incidents are reviewed, while others aren’t. The referee seemed unwilling to listen to my concerns.” Following the goal, Siebert issued a yellow card to Atubolu for his complaints. The goalkeeper explained that he had intended to clear the ball, but Kim managed to push it into the net with his hand, leading to his loss of balance and frustration.
SC Freiburg’s coach, Julian Schuster, sympathized with Atubolu’s feelings, noting that past instances have shown that similar situations could warrant a foul. He acknowledged that such moments can significantly impact a goalkeeper’s performance.
Meanwhile, Bayern’s coach, Vincent Kompany, chose not to assess the controversial play, emphasizing that his focus was on his team’s overall performance. He remarked, “It may not have been our best display, but a win is a win,” reflecting on the match’s outcome.
Bayern Maintains Title Lead
Despite edging closer to their title ambitions, the atmosphere within Bayern Munich is tempered. Sports director Max Eberl commented on the situation following Freiburg’s match, noting the team’s six-point lead over Bayer Leverkusen after their draw against RB Leipzig. “We acknowledged the results from other matches and extended our lead, which makes it a positive weekend for us,” he stated.
Star striker Harry Kane emphasized the importance of the victory, even if it wasn’t visually impressive. “This win is crucial for us, but we still have many challenging matches ahead,” he said, referring to the upcoming encounter with Leverkusen on February 15. Captain Joshua Kimmich shared a similar sentiment, acknowledging the need for his team to focus solely on their performance moving forward.
In the match against Freiburg, FC Bayern showed flashes of brilliance, with Kane scoring in the 15th minute and Min-Jae Kim adding another goal shortly after halftime. However, the closing stages of the game were tense as Matthias Ginter’s goal for Freiburg in the 68th minute put Bayern’s victory at risk. Ultimately, the match ended before a crowd of 34,700 spectators, marking Freiburg’s third consecutive defeat.