Freiburg vs Leverkusen: Boniface missing, Tella shines from the bench as Bayer hand Kane first title

Freiburg vs Leverkusen: Boniface missing, Tella shines from the bench as Bayer hand Kane first title

Izuchukwu Akawor • Izuchukwu Akawor • 18:32 - 04.05.2025

Freiburg and Bayer Leverkusen played out a dramatic 2-2 draw, with Freiburg taking a 2-0 lead before Leverkusen's late comeback secured a point, effectively handing Bayern Munich the Bundesliga title.

Freiburg and Bayer Leverkusen played out an intense 2-2 draw at the Europa-Park-Stadion on Sunday, a result that has seen Bayern Munich and Harry Kane clinch the Bundesliga title.

Bayern are now nine points clear of Leverkusen with just a few games remaining, and their superior +61 goal difference compared to Leverkusen’s +31 means the title race is effectively over.

PAY ATTENTION: Check out Bet Of The Day page - we provide expert tips

For Freiburg, the draw was a missed opportunity to move three points clear of Borussia Dortmund in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification.

The hosts took the lead through a stunning 25-yard strike by Michael Eggestein just before halftime, and then benefited from an own goal by Leverkusen’s Pervis Estupiñán early in the second half to go 2-0 up.

Victor Boniface
Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface was not in the matchday squad. (Credit: Imago)

Leverkusen fought back late in the game with two goals in the final 10 minutes. Florian Wirtz scored a brilliant solo goal to pull one back in the 82nd minute, and then Jonathan Tah headed in the equaliser deep into stoppage time, completing a dramatic comeback.

Nigerian forward Victor Boniface was absent from the matchday squad, while fellow Nigerian Nathan Tella started on the bench and was introduced late in the game before he went on to assist the equaliser.

Super Eagles-eligible goalkeeper Noah Atubolu was also on the Freiburg bench as he nears recovery from a shoulder injury, but Leverkusen’s goalkeeper Lukáš Kovář retained his place in goal.

Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso made several changes from their previous win, with Tella, Andrich, and Arthur dropping to the bench despite their recent good form.

Meanwhile, Freiburg made just one change from their last match, with Manzambi replacing Höler.

The draw leaves Leverkusen still in second place but further behind Bayern, who are poised to claim their 34th Bundesliga title if they win their next game and Leverkusen fail to win theirs.

Tah was set up by Tella.

Boniface had earlier insisted the title race was not over yet, but Bayern’s strong position and goal difference make their championship almost certain.

In summary, the Freiburg vs Leverkusen match was a thrilling encounter marked by a strong start from Freiburg, a late Leverkusen fightback, and notable absences and benching of Nigerian players.