Freiburg Holds Leverkusen to 2-2 Draw, Boosting Champions League Hopes

Bayer Leverkusen fights back from 2-0 down to draw with Freiburg, but it doesn't change their fate as Bayern Munich are confirmed as Bundesliga champions.

Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga title hopes effectively ended as Bayern Munich were crowned champions, despite Leverkusen fighting back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Freiburg. Freiburg's result keeps them in the top four, putting them in contention for a historic UEFA Champions League qualification.

Leverkusen's nine-point deficit and significant goal difference deficit made it nearly impossible to catch Bayern Munich, rendering their title aspirations unrealistic. The draw marked the formal end to Leverkusen's title bid.

Freiburg took the initiative, testing Bayer Leverkusen's goalkeeper Matej Kovar with Vincenzo Grifo's long-range shot. The hosts created few chances in the first half, but one stood out. Patrick Osterhage's breakaway effort was thwarted by Kovar.

Freiburg's breakthrough came just before halftime in dramatic fashion. Maximilian Eggestein unleashed a powerful, dipping shot from outside the area into the top corner, giving Freiburg a 1-0 lead at the interval.

Freiburg doubled their lead just after halftime when Junior Adamu pressured Piero Hincapié into prodding a lobbed cross into his own net, following a header from Johan Manzambi. Freiburg's defense remained solid, absorbing Leverkusen's attacks.

Leverkusen pulled a goal back with eight minutes remaining, as Florian Wirtz scored with a precise shot into the bottom-left corner, reducing the deficit to 2-1.

What a story! 💪#SCFB04 | 2-2 pic.twitter.com/JB97Gt6ddc

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) May 4, 2025

Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen side showed resilience despite a lackluster performance, earning a point through a late header from Jonathan Tah, who scored on his 400th appearance for the club. Nathan Tella's cross in stoppage time set up the equalizer.

The draw extended Leverkusen's remarkable unbeaten away league run to 35 matches and kept Freiburg in fourth place. However, the result confirmed Bayern Munich as Bundesliga champions, securing Harry Kane's first major trophy and the club's 12th title in 13 seasons, marking the end of Leverkusen's title defense.