Bayern focused on hunting down Leverkusen

Bayern have 11 matches to close the gap on Xabi Alonso's unbeaten side who are pushing for a first-ever Bundesliga crown. New Bayern sporting director Max Eberl told reporters his side, who have won the past 11 Bundesliga titles were "now playing the role of the hunter".

Bayern play away at Freiburg on Friday, the same day Eberl officially starts work. Since Leverkusen's dominant 3-0 home win over Bayern earlier in February, Alonso's side have played before Thomas Tuchel's side each weekend, throwing down the gauntlet to the under-pressure Bavarians.

With Leverkusen however now in action mostly on Sundays due to midweek Europa League commitments, Bayern can up the pressure on Alonso's men by playing first most weekends. After three straight losses equalled their worst run since 2015, Bayern beat RB Leipzig last week, albeit needing a stoppage-time strike from Harry Kane.

Tuchel said Thursday the "last-minute win gave us self-confidence and a positive atmosphere, which is what you need to play good and successful football. "We stopped the negative series. It gave us energy and I think we did well."

With Bayern on the verge of a last 16 exit in the Champions League, Tuchel had one eye fixed on Tuesday's home clash with Lazio, with the Italian side holding a 1-0 advantage.

The Bayern coach said the Lazio clash was "a completely different game" but told reporters "the best preparation for the coming match is always a successful match before."

Colourful Freiburg coach Christian Streich said Thursday "Bayern will want to win at all costs - we'll do everything we can to make it difficult for them." An eight-point lead at this point of the season has never been chased down in the history of the Bundesliga."

Bayern however will be hopin