Century of goals up for Bayern as new scoring record waits

Goals, goals, goals for Bayern as Bundesliga resistance begins to fade already. The championship already looks destined for Munich (again) but the style in which it could be one is remarkable even for the nine-time title-holders.

Munich (dpa) – Bayern Munich struck their 100th Bundesliga goal of the calender year in beating Freiburg on Saturday and with six league matches left in 2021, eclipsing Cologne’s long-standing record of 101 is inevitable.

Cologne’s best-mark has stood since 1977 but with six games remainin before the turn of the year, free-scoring Bayern will obliterate that tally – possibly as soon as November 19, when they return to action after the international break to visit Bavarian neighbours Augsburg.

“This shows that we have a very attack-minded style of play,” said Thomas Mueller,” who set up Leon Goretzka’s opener in the 2-1 victory over third-placed Freiburg.

“We have the quality to create many scoring chances and we also enjoy scoring goals enormously.”

Bayern’s remarkable hunger for goals, as referenced by Mueller, is seen in the number of games they run up the score when other teams would ease off to save energy.

Recent matches have brought five against Dynamo Kiev, four then five against Benfica, five against Bayer Leverkusen, four against Hoffenheim and five against Union Berlin.

“The team is incredibly hungry, even if they’ve already scored two or three goals,” agreed board member for sport Hasan Salihamidzic.

A minor black spot is Bayern have also conceded 11 in 11 Bundesliga games. Clean sheets are rare and Salihamidzic admitted: “we want to concede even fewer.”

That weakness at the back already cost them a German Cup exit via a 5-0 collapse at Borussia Moenchengladbach and could threaten their Champions League ambitions in the latter stages.

But a 10th consecutive Bundesliga title is on the cards already, especially given second-placed Borussia Dortmund lost 2-1 at RB Leipzig later Saturday to fall four points behind.

“We wanted to pass on the pressure to Dortmund,” said Mueller. “Of course, there was also a bit of hope that they would drop points against Leipzig and we could carve out a small lead in the table.

“When we come back from the international break, we know Bayern will be top of the table – there’s nothing better.”

Freiburg tasted defeat for the first time this season despite Janik Haberer’s late consolation after Robert Lewandowski’s winner with his own 60th goal of 2021.

“The team gave their all, they were brave throughout,” said Freiburg coach Christian Streich. “It was clear that Bayern would get their chances, with their speed.

“We couldn’t have done more than we did today.”