Three players stood out in FC Bayern’s convincing 3-0 win over Union Berlin on matchday 22 of the Bundesliga. No Munich was worse than the grade 3.5. The grades and individual reviews of the game.
FC Bayern Munich clarified the balance of power again on the 22nd match day of the Bundesliga with the never-threatening 3-0 win over Union Berlin. Joshua Kimmich was in absolute boss mode, a veteran star and a Frenchman also stood out.
Winner: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)
With a strong cross, Coman prepared Choupo-Motings to make it 1-0, and deliberately circled in front of the 2-0 Union keeper Rönnow. Won each of his tackles, successfully completed each of his dribbles. Brilliant performance from the French. Grade: 1.5.
Winner: Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich)
Overtook CEO Oliver Kahn in the all-time table with his 430th appearance in the Bundesliga for FC Bayern Munich and is now second in the rankings. Rewarded himself with two assists and then kept putting his teammates in the limelight. Grade: 2.
Loser: Rani Khedira (1. FC Union Berlin)
The central link in the 3-5-2 system was rarely on the ball and gave no structure to the Union game. Rani Khedira made too many bad passes and lost duels for his position. Provided so neither for structure, nor for danger to the front. In the 79th he had to give way for Janik Haberer. Grade: 4.5.
FC Bayern Munich – 1. FC Union Berlin: The line-ups
Yan Summers: During his time at FC Bayern, he probably never had so little to do as in the supposed top game against Union. But almost always radiated a heartwarming sovereignty in the snow flurry. Grade: 3.5.
FC Bayern Munich – 1. FC Union Berlin: Defense
Josip Stanisic: Surprisingly won over João Cancelo, having only played 91 competitive minutes before the game in 2023. Justified the trust with a sparkling clean performance. Won a lot of duels, was very often on the ball, played clean passes, even in the attacking third. Grade 2.5.
Benjamin Pavard: Went resolutely against Union’s sporadic attacking efforts, felt like winning every duel and booked a number of ball wins. Grade: 2.5.
Matthijs de Ligt: Although he won the important duels, but by no means all and not even the majority of his duels, neither on the ground nor in the air. Five ball wins in the first half were opposed to eight ball losses against harmless Berliners. Needed to find into the game. Significantly more stable in the second half. Grade: 3.5.
Alphonso Davies: Built on the strong performances of the last few games. A lot on the go, a good eye for the teammates. Bad luck that his fantastic pass to Choupo-Moting didn’t make it 1-0 in the early stages. Wasn’t quite as noticeable as a result, but without playing badly in any way. Grade: 2.5.
FC Bayern Munich – 1. FC Union Berlin: midfielder
Kingsley Coman: Was often the counterpart to Alphonso Davies when in possession of the ball, played some useful crosses, one of which was really soft as butter and led to the 1-0. Scored the 2-0 himself after Thomas Müller’s very nice preparatory work. All of his five dribbles were successful and he also won six of his six duels. Best and most conspicuous Bavarian. Made way for Sadio Mané’s comeback in the 65th minute. Grade: 1.5.
Joshua Kimmich: Acted as the only protection in front of the back three when in possession of the ball when Bayern used it, but was still very offensive. Lost a ball close to the center circle in the early stages, was a bit lucky that de Ligt immediately defused the situation. It was his only insecurity. Played some passes that were as clever as they were important, the leader was on the pitch that he should and wants to be. Initiated the 1:0 strongly. Grade: 2.
Leon Goretzka: Most diligent ball thief in the first quarter of an hour, it was also his fault that Union practically did not take place in the first half. Remained strong in duels, but did not act nearly as conspicuously and dominantly as Joshua Kimmich. Grade: 3.5.
Jamal Musiala : On his 20th birthday, initially played as if his birthday were in May and the sun was shining over the Allianz Arena. As a result, his attempts at dribbling ebbed away on the icy surface. Then failed in the 26th minute with a resolute attempt at a shot from six meters by Rönnow, but confidently increased it from close range with the half-time whistle to make it 3-0. Grade: 2.5.
FC Bayern Munich – 1. FC Union Berlin: attacker
Thomas Müller: He hesitated a little too long after Choupo-Moting’s pass in the early stages, but in his 430th Bundesliga game for FC Bayern Munich there was no real X-factor in the game for a long time – until he prepared Jamal Musiala’s 2-0 lead with his pass from the corner line. One should never write off this Müller. But then missed a huge chance 20 minutes before the end. Grade: 2.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting: He no longer radiates the absolute goal-getting that had surprisingly distinguished him before the World Cup. Initially missed a few chances against Union, but then scored his goal in the first half – and by no means from the easiest of situations. Note 3.
FC Bayern Munich – 1. FC Union Berlin: Substitute
Sadio Mane: Celebrated his comeback from the 66th minute after a month-long injury break, Thomas Müller once wanted to give him his comeback goal, but the angle was a bit too acute for him, which is why he unselfishly put it down again. Grade: 3.5.
Serge Gnabry: Came on for Choupo Moting in the 65th minute and got in with a short cross that Thomas Müller was unable to convert. Failed to get his degree in goal. Solid performance as a substitute. Note 3.
Leroy Sane: Came in for Kimmich in the 78th minute and set up Davies’ big chance in the closing stages. No rating.
João Cancelo: Came in for the battered Josip Stanisic in the 78th minute and fitted well into the overall structure. No rating.
Mathy’s phone: Came for Müller in the closing stages. No rating.
