Bayern rally from two down to beat Freiburg as Dortmund win late at Stuttgart

Berlin: Bayern Munich overturned a two-goal deficit in the closing stages to defeat Freiburg 3-2 in the Bundesliga on Saturday, ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid.

Bayern were 2-0 down with 10 minutes remaining and were without injured striker Harry Kane, but Tom Bischof struck twice from long range before Lennart Karl scored the winner in the ninth minute of stoppage time. Karl’s goal was Bayern’s 100th of the season, leaving the side one short of the all-time Bundesliga record.

Bischof described the comeback as timely preparation for Tuesday’s European fixture in Madrid. "A game like this is the perfect match for us right now before Real Madrid, because we realise what type of team we are -- we stick together, the 20-year-old said after scoring his first goals for Bayern since joining from Hoffenheim last summer."

"Real Madrid were beaten 2-1 by Mallorca in La Liga on Saturday, but Bischof said the Spanish side remained a major threat. It will be a different game, that much is clear, because Real are simply on a different level, they can always be dangerous, even if things aren't going so well in the league," he added.

With Kane sidelined because of an ankle complaint, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany also left Michael Olise and Dayot Upamecano on the bench before the trip to the Spanish capital. Bayern have not beaten Real Madrid since 2012. Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer returned from injury for the Freiburg match.

Freiburg went ahead shortly after the interval when Johan Manzambi scored with a powerful effort from distance. Lucas Hoeler added a second in the 71st minute, putting the home side on course for what would have been a first league victory over Bayern since 2015. Bayern, however, responded late, with Bischof scoring in the 81st minute and again in stoppage time. Substitute Alphonso Davies then provided a low cross for Karl to finish the winner.

Dortmund strike in stoppage time

At Stuttgart, Borussia Dortmund secured a 2-0 victory with two goals in added time in a heated contest. With the match appearing set to end goalless, Karim Adeyemi scored on the counterattack in the fourth minute of stoppage time from near the penalty spot. Julian Brandt added a second two minutes later with a volley into the top of the net.

After Dortmund celebrated in front of the home supporters, several fans got through the fence and approached the field, while a folding chair was thrown onto the pitch. Dortmund coach Niko Kovac said he had a disagreement with Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness after the final whistle but played down the exchange. "We had a difference of opinion, but that's OK. It's football -- you're allowed to express your point of view," he told Sky.

The result leaves Dortmund nine points behind Bayern. Stuttgart slipped from third to fourth, behind RB Leipzig on goal difference.

Leipzig, Leverkusen and Mainz also win

RB Leipzig beat Werder Bremen 2-1 through goals described as moments of individual quality. Antonio Nusa opened the scoring with a strike from outside the area, and Romulo added another with a low finish. Bremen remain four points above St Pauli, who occupy the relegation play-off place.

Bayer Leverkusen came from behind twice to beat Wolfsburg 6-3 in a high-scoring match and remain in contention for a Champions League place. Wolfsburg led 3-1 before half-time through goals from Danish players Jonas Wind, Joakim Maehle and Christian Eriksen against a Leverkusen side coached by former Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand.

Leverkusen reduced the deficit before the break and then scored four times in the second half. Alejandro Grimaldo netted twice, while Patrik Schick, Ibrahim Maza, Edmond Tapsoba and Malik Tillman were also on target. The win kept Leverkusen within four points of Leipzig and moved them to within one point of Hoffenheim.

Hoffenheim’s 2-1 home loss to Mainz extended their poor run. After sitting third in February, they are now fifth and have managed only one win in their last six matches.

Elsewhere, Borussia Moenchengladbach drew 2-2 with bottom side Heidenheim, while 10-man Hamburg were held 1-1 at home by Augsburg.