News | FC Bayern hosted Union Berlin in the top game of the 27th Bundesliga matchday. The guests did not make a bad away game per se, but failed to convert their chances. Unlike the record champions, who presented with the clear 4-0 in the long-distance duel against Borussia Dortmund.
There have been quieter times on Säbener Straße. On the one hand, the long-term absences of Alphonso Davies and Leon Goretzka are about to make comebacks in the medium term. On the other hand, Niklas Süle (muscle fiber tear) and Benjamin Pavard (COVID-19) are now out. In addition, there are the hesitant contract negotiations for Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer, Los Villarreal in the Champions League and a possible semi-final against Liverpool or Benfica.
In all of this, a title race in the Bundesliga, which is escalating again, is now bursting. After the two 1-1 draws against Leverkusen and in Sinsheim, Borussia Dortmund has again moved up to four points thanks to the 1-0 wins against Bielefeld and in Mainz. Means: In the duel with Union Berlin, the record champions have to get three points again.
The Iron Ones still have to find their new roles after the departure of their MVP Max Kruse. There has only been one win since then, the 3-1 win over Mainz. Last weekend, Union had to settle for a 1-1 draw against VfB Stuttgart.
So into the top game, for FC Bayern it was the 1935th in the Bundesliga. They overtake Werder Bremen and are the new “Bundesliga Dino”. Six minutes were played when Union Berlin recorded the game’s first scoring opportunity. After a cross from the right, Sheraldo Becker climbed up and delicately headed wide. Manuel Neuer saw early on that the ball would pass and stayed away.
After that, however, the record champion took command. 11 minutes: Rani Khedira smashed the ball over the ball, giving Robert Lewandowski the assist. Clearly ahead of Andreas Luthe, the top scorer missed his 30th goal of the season.
Kingsley Coman did better five minutes later. Released by Lucas Hernández, he finished at the corner of the penalty area. The massive ball fluttered extremely, put the indicator right in front of Luthe again and landed at an angle. 1:0!
Union didn’t give up at all, but only started to become dangerous after this goal. Bastian Oczipka, who hasn’t registered a win against FC Bayern in 16 attempts, brought a free kick into the middle in the 21st minute. Robin Knoche broke away from guard Dayot Upamecano and forced Neuer into an outstanding reflex. A good 60 seconds later, Becker fired in sharply from the right, where Taiwo Awoniyi narrowly missed.
The 1:1 was in the air, but instead it was 2:0. 25 minutes: Joshua Kimmich put a corner kick in the middle. There Tanguy Nianzou climbed 1.87 meters and nodded off on the bottom right. First Bundesliga goal – and also the first competitive goal for FC Bayern. With Paris Saint-Germain he even managed a brace in a 4-4 win in Amiens in February 2020.
This hit had its effect on the Unioners by far. From now on, the record champions created most of the scoring chances. In a four-on-one in the 29th minute, Coman failed to bring the ball cleanly to Leroy Sané in the center.
Three minutes before the break, Luthe dived under a cross from Thomas Müller, allowing Coman to finish in front of the empty goal, but missed.
Nevertheless, the 3:0 fell before the break. 45 minutes: Robert Lewandowski smashed into a Paul Jaeckel header that was far too short, had a clear run towards Luthe and was cleared. Harm Osmers awarded a penalty. Robert Lewandowski made it just as safe as Mainz did in the early afternoon and converted on the bottom right. Luthe lay in the other corner. On the sidelines, Urs Fischer shook his head. Union didn’t play badly away from home, but beat themselves in crucial situations. The record champions were already 3-0 up at half-time – and now Lewandowski’s 30th goal of the season.
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Lewandowski follows up early – Bayern ends the draw series and presents in a long-distance duel
The second 45 minutes went without a change – but with one on the scoreboard. 47 minutes: Müller put an outstanding shot through to Jamal Musiala in the penalty area. Actually, the youngster could have tried it himself from the inside right position, but put it in the middle again for Lewandowski, who safely converted from close range. 31st goal of the season for him and the 81st for Bayern. In almost six decades of the Bundesliga, no other team had so many at that point.
After this hit, understandably, the credits were already rolling. Nevertheless, Union wanted at least the consolation goal. 53 minutes: Genki Haraguchi drove the ball over the left and took aim from a tight angle, but Neuer saved. Awoniyi was at the far post. This time Lucas Hernández cleaned up on the line.
Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
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With this victory, the record champions initially increased their lead at the top of the table to seven points. Borussia Dortmund will play in Cologne tomorrow, Sunday, and can follow suit. Union Berlin remains in 8th place for the time being. Eintracht Frankfurt could overtake Leipzig with a win.
After the international break, FC Bayern is planning a trip to Breisgau, followed by the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League at Villarreal and the home game against FC Augsburg. Union Berlin welcomes an old acquaintance in Steffen Baumgart, then has the city derby in the Olympic Stadium ahead of them and then a home game against Eintracht Frankfurt.
The final score from the Allianz Arena: FC Bayern 4, Union Berlin 0.
Photo by MICHAELA REHLE/AFP via Getty Images
Victor Catalina
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