Bayern were poor admits, goal-scorer Robben

Arjen Robben admitted his Bayern Munich side had been tactically poor before the Dutchman hit two second-half goals to seal a 2-1 win over Freiburg to rescue the Bundesliga leaders.

The 26-year-old scored with a direct free-kick and penalty to spare Bayern’s blushes as the hosts came from behind at Munich’s Allianz Arena and retook top spot in the German league after Schalke 04 had temporarily taken over.

Since joining Bayern from Real Madrid at the start of the season, Robben has got the German giants out of jail several times, none more so than Saturday.

The Dutchman hit the crucial goal at Fiorentina last Tuesday which put his team in the Champions League’s quarter-finals despite losing 3-2 in Italy as they went through on the away-goal rule.

Robben’s goals give Bayern a two-point lead in the table and keeps them on course for their 22nd German league title, but he admitted his side were poor as Freiburg’s striker Cedrick Makiadi had given his team an early lead.

“We were tactically poor in the first half and rarely created space, although it?s always tough against Freiburg,” said Robben, who led Munich’s attack in the absence of injured French midfielder Franck Ribery.

“They come here and defend with every man, so you have to be finding space.

“The fact they managed to score made it even more difficult.”

Bayern have not lost a league game since they were beaten in Hamburg last September and are on a 19-match unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga.

Bayern captain Mark van Bommel, who also scored in Fiorentina last week, said he felt his Munich side were always in control, despite going 1-0 down, because of the confidence they have built up.

“I always felt good about it because we basically controlled the game, It was only a matter of time before we equalised,” said Dutchmann van Bommel.

“And we knew once we?d equalised, we?d have the chances to make it 2-1 or 3-1 – and that?s what happened.

“We?ve been confident since November.

“We?re on a terrific run, we?re in the cup and the Champions League, and top of the table.”

And Bayern’s Dutchman coach Louis van Gaal said his side had suffered a Champions League hangover, before Robben sparked the team into action.

“Freiburg were very well organised,” said the Dutchman.

“It was tough for us in the first half, but we made it worse by straying from our positions.

“We reorganised and dominated after the break.

“It?s very nice to end up winning, but we could easily have lost or drawn.

“We?ve scored from two set pieces, which speaks for our quality, but also that we were a shade lucky.”