![\"Passion](\"https:\/\/platform.bavarianfootballworks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-2269800408.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPassion exemplified. (Photo by A. Scheuber\/FC Bayern via Getty Images) FC Bayern via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Der Fu\u00dfballgott: Joshua Kimmich<\/p>\n
I know I\u2019m going to draw a lot of ire for this, and I will start by conceding that Kimmich was a liability in the first half. With enough misplaced passes to create a highlight reel, Kimmich contributed to the midfield\u2019s disarray and was bypassed by Freiburg\u2019s midfield with ease, almost as if he were a non-factor.<\/p>\n
However, Kimmich gets this award for stepping up when it matters, for rising to the occasion, for being Mr. Clutch. When Bayern needed a goal in the dying moments, he showed up big time. His defense-splitting pass to Alphonso Davies stole the show and directly led to Bayern\u2019s third, sealed by Lennart Karl. Moreover, he played like a man possessed in the final 20 minutes, dictating tempo, screaming orders, and coordinating the press.<\/p>\n
In a game where Bayern was far from its best, Kimmich helped steal a victory.<\/p>\n
Der Bomber: Michael Olise<\/p>\n
Another game, another assist, and a show of dominance. It is absurd just how good this guy is. As soon as he entered the game, the entire dynamic shifted. Bayern began controlling everything, and every attacking move ran through the world\u2019s best winger. He almost scored with his very first action.<\/p>\n
With every passing minute, Olise kept getting better. This is especially surprising given he featured in both of France\u2019s games in the international break. His tenacity, skill, drive, and defensive ability were all on full display, and his crossing was otherworldly. With 4 brilliant passes into the final third and a vicious shot that needed Atubolu to stretch to his elastic limit, Olise gave the Freiburg defense fits. And he was rewarded with an assist for a well-timed and weighted ball for Bischof\u2019s second.<\/p>\n
After what feels like an eternity, I finally feel somewhat confident heading into a Real Madrid fixture. And Michael Olise is the main reason why.<\/p>\n
Meister of the Match: Tom Bischof<\/p>\n
Who else but the prince that was promised? The player who is going to run Bayern\u2019s midfield alongside Aleksandar Pavlovi\u0107 for the next decade?<\/p>\n
Bischof, at the sprightly age of 20, has just capped one of the best performances we\u2019ve seen in a Bundesliga fixture from a Bayern midfielder. As soon as Kompany allowed him to move to a spot from where he could make a bigger impact (after taking a certain traffic cone off the pitch), Bischof rewarded the coach and Bayern fans the world over with two superb golazos from way outside the box.<\/p>\n
A brilliant first touch to take the ball away from his man and position it for a direct hit, and a sublime strike to seal the deal. Atubolu had no chance whatsoever for either goal. Bischof showcased quite a lot of his skills: his understanding of the positions of his own teammates and the opposition players, his timing, his striking ability, and his finesse. Moreover, he capped the last 25 minutes with a near-flawless midfield performance. Bischof completed 88% of his passes, completed 3\/4 accurate long balls, was NEVER dispossessed, and had 4 key defensive contributions!<\/p>\n
Now that is an MOTM stat line if I\u2019ve ever seen one.<\/p>\n
So coach Kompany\u2026 is it finally time for Bischof to return to his best position?<\/p>\n
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast<\/a>, Spotify<\/a>, Apple<\/a>, or any leading podcast distributor\u2026 <\/p>\n