After days of unrest, FC Bayern sends a strong signal to the pursuers and clearly defeats Union Berlin. Especially in the first half, the Munich team made it clear that they absolutely want to defend the top spot in the Bundesliga against the challengers from the capital.
CEO Oliver Kahn happily high-fived sports director Hasan Salihamidzic in the stands, while Julian Nagelsmann hugged his relieved winner on the pitch. After an impressive show of force in a close fight for the title, FC Bayern Munich successfully defended their lead in the standings and brought calm to the club before the weeks of truth. The playful and clearly superior record champions won the top duel in the snow flurry against the sometimes overwhelmed upstart Union Berlin 3-0 (3-0) and after his gala took back the traditional top spot, which Borussia from Dortmund, who had the same number of points, had taken over at short notice.
“We played an active game. We had good combinations, were agile and aggressive. That was a good first step, but it won’t do us any good next week,” said Thomas Müller at DAZN. After the recent unrest, the well-deserved success in the duel of opposites was of enormous importance for FC Bayern and Nagelsmann. Another setback would have exacerbated the already tense situation before the important weeks with the round of 16 second leg against Paris St. Germain.
But Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (31st), Kingsley Coman (40th) and birthday boy Jamal Musiala (45th 1) in front of 75,000 spectators in the Allianz Arena made things clear even before the break. “Record man” Müller prepared two goals in Sadio Mane’s comeback in an exemplary manner. After the first competitive defeat this year, Union is now three points behind Bayern Munich and BVB. Three days after the Europa League success against Ajax Amsterdam, the Berliners had nothing to oppose the strong Bavarians. Coach Urs Fischer said after the game: “It was clear. There were two or three classes difference. You have to admit that. The two goals before the break annoy me.”
A team evening on Friday also underlined how important the game was for the Munich team. Kahn had also warned once again that the stars had to “show that they are Bayern Munich”. Nagelsmann made four changes in the starting XI after the 2-3 draw in Gladbach, with Dayot Upamecano missing with a red card suspension. Müller, who was substituted after 16 minutes against Borussia, started again. For the 33-year-old, it was the 430th league game for Munich. He is number two in the ranking ahead of Kahn and behind Sepp Maier (473).
And it was also the eager Müller who had the first big chance in the 5th minute – but missed it in the snow. Despite initially adverse conditions, the committed Bavarians were wide awake and oppressively superior. Some turbulent scenes played out in front of the Union goal, but it was only after half an hour that Munich were rewarded after a cross from Coman and a header from Choupo-Moting. The Bayern Express was now rolling. Apart from a chance by Aissa Laidouni (37th), there was nothing to see from the Berliners.
Bayern kept up the pressure after the break. Alphonso Davies failed free-standing to guest goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow (48th), Müller hit the post (62nd). In the 65th minute, the spectators cheered for Mané’s substitution. The top star tore a tendon on his right fibula head in mid-November and missed the World Cup after the subsequent operation. Mané immediately created a top chance for Müller, but Rönnow reacted strongly with his head (71′) and Davies failed again (86′). Only Sheraldo Becker (58th) caused a goal threat for the guests after the break. “The way is already a yardstick for ourselves,” said Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann on the DAZN streaming service, visibly satisfied: “It’s about living up to our own standards.”
