Champions-in-waiting Bayern Munich moved 20 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table with a resounding 4-0 victory over Freiburg, opening the scoring courtesy of an own goal from goalkeeper Schwolow before further strikes from Corentin Tolisso, Sandro Wagner and Thomas Muller sealed the three points.
Positives
Bayern's sixth consecutive league title is a matter of weeks away, with the runaway leaders secretly aiming to seal the championship at the end of the month in their own backyard at the Allianz Arena against Borussia Dortmund.
Negatives
Before romping to victory, Bayern could have easily fallen behind if not for the brilliance of Sven Ulreich in the opening twenty minutes.
Manager rating out of 10
8 -- Jupp Heynckes freshened things up with five changes from the side that drew 0-0 at home to Hertha Berlin last weekend. The 72-year-old continued his masterful fourth spell in charge with another convincing win.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Sven Ulreich, 8 -- Bayern's back-up keeper made fine reflex saves in each half to preserve his ninth clean sheet in 20 games. The pick of the bunch with an outstretched boot, prevented the onrushing Lucas Holer from giving Freiburg a shock lead on 11 minutes.
DF David Alaba, 7 -- Hardly tested defensively and yet to taste defeat after 19 Bundesliga appearances this season.
DF Mats Hummels, 7 -- Classy and composed throughout alongside his World Cup winning partner Boateng.
DF Jerome Boateng, 7 -- Like Alaba, unbeaten this season in the Bundesliga (15 starts) and totally reinvigorated by the return of Heynckes to the sidelines.
DF Joshua Kimmich, 6 -- Business as usual going forward on the right flank with a sweet cross for Muller's goal. But there's still more than a few reservations over his defensive nous -- especially on away soil. He could easily have conceded a penalty in the second half, but for a very forgiving referee.
MF Arturo Vidal, 6 -- Caught out of position for Freiburg's glaring opportunity to take the lead, but otherwise had things under control once Bayern went ahead.
MF Juan Bernat, 6 -- With left wingers Franck Ribery and Kingsley Coman both missing, Bernat came in for just his sixth Bundesliga appearance in a more advanced role. Another player who looks more comfortable attacking and the Spain international should have scored in the second half, missing a couple of decent chances, including a free header.
MF Corentin Tolisso, 8 -- Produced a candidate for goal of the season with a thunderous 30-yard strike which left the keeper absolutely no chance. You could see how much the goal meant to Bayern's record signing, who's been on the fringes of the starting lineup in recent weeks.
MF Thiago, 6 -- Started the last three Bundesliga games and subbed in all of them as he makes tender steps back from a long injury absence. Thiago tested Schwolow midway through the first half with a snap shot and played in Tolisso for a first assist of the season, before making way for Rudy on 73 minutes.
MF Thomas Muller, 9 -- Bayern's captain is definitely the man of the moment under Heynckes, scoring six goals and has provided two assists in 10 games this year. Muller helped open the scoring via the keeper on 25 minutes with a typically slapstick goal, before firing a sweet first-time finish for the final tally of the evening. He made way for Rafinha with 10 minutes to go.
FW Sandro Wagner, 6 -- Totally anonymous in the first half, but glanced a header narrowly wide just after the break, before following up with his third goal from close range in only his third start.
Substitutes
MF Sebastian Rudy, N/R -- Came on for Thiago after 74 minutes with the game done and dusted.
DF Rafinha, N/R -- Replaced Muller for the last 10 minutes, which also kindly allowed Bayern's beloved captain an ovation from the travelling faithful.
DF Niklas Sule, N/R -- Replaced Vidal in midfield for the final eight minutes for his 20th Bundesliga appearance in an impressive first season, more than the 2014 World Cup winning duo of Hummels and Boateng.