Better late than never for Bayern

Kompany's coaching

Though far from first choice, rookie coach Vincent Kompany has proven to be just what Bayern needed after Thomas Tuchel's turbulent spell as coach.

Bayern tried to get Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso, Nagelsmann and Austria's Ralf Rangnick to take over, before attempting to convince Tuchel to stay after all.

Kompany was a surprise pick after Burnley's Premier League relegation — having led the team to promotion the season before — but it has proved to be an inspired choice.

Sporting director Christoph Freund praised the Belgian's calm manner, clear communication and focus for getting through to the players.

The club has put a lid on the drama that overshadowed recent seasons. Gone are the days of player discontent, a coach hunting a mole in the locker room, a star player allegedly hitting a teammate and the club barring its own chief executive from title celebrations.

CL fight heats up

Freiburg's draw kept it sitting fourth — the final place for Champions League qualification — just a point ahead of the resurgent Borussia Dortmund and two ahead of Leipzig.

Third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt stayed four points clear of Freiburg with a 1-1 draw at Mainz in the later game.

Only Germany's top four teams will qualify for Europe's premier club competition.

Earlier, Holstein Kiel boosted its hopes of avoiding the drop with a 3-1 win at Augsburg.

It moved Kiel to a point behind Heidenheim, which occupies the relegation playoff place. Kiel next plays Freiburg, then Dortmund.

Agencies via Xinhua