The China Mail - Bayern storm back late to win at Freiburg before Real showdown

Trailing 2-0 and without injured talisman Harry Kane, Tom Bischof scored twice before Lennart Karl grabbed the winner in the ninth minute of stoppage time.

The victory took title-bound Bayern 12 points clear of Borussia Dortmund, who play at Stuttgart later on Saturday.

With Kane sidelined by an ankle complaint, Vincent Kompany opted to leave Michael Olise and Dayot Upamecano on the bench ahead of Tuesday's trip to Madrid, whom Bayern have not beaten since 2012.

Veteran Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer returned from injury and rescued the visitors with two superb saves in the first half.

Freiburg took the lead just after the break when Johan Manzambi blasted a long-range effort into the corner with Neuer flat-footed.

Lucas Hoeler doubled Freiburg's lead on 71 minutes to seemingly put his side on track for a first league win over Bayern since 2015.

The defending champions sparked into life late however, with Bischof scoring in the 81st minute and again in stoppage time. Substitute Alphonso Davies set up Karl for the winner with an excellent low pass across the face of goal.

Two pieces of individual brilliance helped RB Leipzig down Werder Bremen 2-1 away to strengthen their bid for a top-four finish.

Antonio Nusa put Leipzig in front with an excellent shot from outside the box and Romulo drove a low shot into the corner to pad the visitors' advantage.

The victory took Leipzig level with third-placed Stuttgart. Bremen sit four points ahead of St Pauli, who occupy the relegation play-off spot.

Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen came from behind twice to win 6-3 in a wild clash at home to Wolfsburg to stay in Champions League contention.

Wolfsburg's Danish contingent Jonas Wind, Joakim Maehle and Christian Eriksen all scored before half-time to put the Wolves 3-1 up against a Leverkusen side coached by former Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand.

Leverkusen pulled one back before the break and then responded with four second-half goals to grab control of the match.

Alejandro Grimaldo bagged a brace, while Patrik Schick, Ibrahim Maza, Edmond Tapsoba and Malik Tillman also scored as Leverkusen moved four points behind fourth-placed Leipzig.

Leverkusen's win took them a point behind Hoffenheim, whose 2-1 home defeat to Mainz continued their slide.

Cruising in third in February, Hoffenheim are now fifth and have won just one of their past six matches.

Borussia Moenchengladbach drew 2-2 with last-placed Heidenheim, while 10-man Hamburg drew 1-1 at home with Augsburg.

G.Tsang--ThChM