Harry Kane (R) of Bayern Munich celebrates with his teammates after scoring during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg in Munich, Germany, Sep. 1, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
BERLIN, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Goals from Harry Kane and Thomas Muller helped Bayern Munich to a 2-0 win over Freiburg in the second round of the Bundesliga on Sunday.
The German giants took control from the kick-off and nearly went ahead in the eighth minute when Serge Gnabry's build-up allowed Kane to fire into the side-netting.
Bayern kept Freiburg on the back foot as new signing Michael Olise tested Freiburg goalkeeper Florian Muller before Mathys Tel fired the rebound wide after 20 minutes.
The hosts finally broke the deadlock in the 37th minute. Christian Ginter was adjudged to have handled a Kane header, and the Englishman stepped up to convert the spot-kick into the bottom left-hand corner for his first Bundesliga goal of the season.
Bayern almost doubled their advantage five minutes before the end of the first half, but Gnabry couldn't capitalize on Lukas Kubler's misplaced pass.
After the restart, Freiburg showed signs of life and went close through Kubler, who sent a dangerous square pass into the box and forced Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer into a fine save in the 57th minute.
Bayern's attacking play slowed, and three minutes later, Freiburg went close again when Kim Min-jae had to clear from Patrick Osterhage.
Vincent Kompany's side continued to threaten, with Kingsley Coman shooting just wide of the right post in the 72nd minute.
Bayern doubled their advantage moments later when Gnabry squared for Muller, who scored his 245th goal and became Bayern's all-time record holder with 710 competitive appearances.
The second goal took the wind out of Freiburg's sails, resulting in their first defeat in two games.
"We always want to play the perfect game. In the first half, we were very dominant. In the second half, we weren't as quick. In the end, we won 2-0 and all the boys got some playing time," said Bayern coach Kompany.
In Sunday's other match, Heidenheim climbed to the top of the table with a 4-0 win over Augsburg. ■
Jamal Musiala (C) of Bayern Munich breaks through during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg in Munich, Germany, Sep. 1, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Thomas Mueller (R) of Bayern Munich breaks through during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg in Munich, Germany, Sep. 1, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Kim Min-jae (M) of Bayern Munich vies with Merlin Roehl (R) of Freiburg during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg in Munich, Germany, Sep. 1, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Adamu (L) of Freiburg vies with Upamecano of Bayern Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg in Munich, Germany, Sep. 1, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Harry Kane of Bayern Munich takes a penalty to score during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg in Munich, Germany, Sep. 1, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Kim Min-jae (L) of Bayern Munich vies with Merlin Roehl of Freiburg during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg in Munich, Germany, Sep. 1, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Harry Kane (L) of Bayern Munich vies with Max Rosenfelder of Freiburg during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg in Munich, Germany, Sep. 1, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
