For the second time in a week, the Bavarians had Arjen Robben to thank for earning a win from the jaws of defeat to take Bayern back above Schalke to the top of the Bundesliga.

Robben's wonder-strike against Fiorentina booked Bayern their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and he was on target twice yesterday with a free-kick and a penalty to earn three more precious, yet lucky points.

"We have scored twice from set-pieces and that is quality, but it is also a bit lucky," admitted Van Gaal.

"It is great to have won in the end, but we could also have lost or drawn this game."

Freiburg's valiant display was not rewarded, although they went ahead through Cedric Makiadi's goal and had Bayern on the ropes until the final 25 minutes when Robben emerged to save the day for the home side.

But Bayern's director of sport Christian Nerlinger claimed it had been a tactical change which had inspired his side to victory.

"To move (Belgian centre-back) Daniel van Buyten into the attack has been successful for us before this season and I believe that led the team to be more aggressive going forward and to force more chances," he said.

"Luckily, we won."

Bayern next travel to Eintracht Frankfurt before hosting Stuttgart ahead of the potentially decisive trip to second-placed Schalke on April 3.