FC Bayern Munich has regained the lead in the Bundesliga that it had lost to Borussia Dortmund. On the 22nd day of play, coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team beat their pursuers Union Berlin 3-0 (3-0) in what was at times a heavy snowstorm.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (31′), Kingsley Coman (40′) and Jamal Musiala (45+1′) gave FC Bayern a 3-0 lead before the break.
Sadion Mané came on for Coman in the 65th minute, making his comeback after almost three months out through injury.
Even in the eighth attempt, Union failed to win against FC Bayern in the Bundesliga. The gap between Berlin and the top duo Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern is now three points.
FC Bayern fans criticized Honorary President Uli Hoeneß with a banner during the game. Here is the notification.
FC Bayern Munich – Union Berlin: The analysis
Nagelsmann changed his starting XI to four positions compared to the 3-2 defeat at Borussia Mönchengladbach, including a rotation of Josip Stanisic in the team. When the opponent had possession of the ball, he played the right link in a back four in a 4-2-3-1, when he had his own he mostly stayed behind in the back three in a 3-1-4-2.
The second case occurred more frequently from the start, as was to be expected. FC Bayern dominated, Union withdrew far and waited for a counterattack. Significant: Even in the early stages, the Munich fans whistled at guest keeper Frederik Rönnow for alleged time game attempts. FC Bayern had a good first chance early on through Thomas Müller (6′), but then didn’t finish many attacks consistently enough.
Only after half an hour did Munich become more precise – mainly thanks to right winger Kingsley Coman, who prepared Eric Maxim Choupo-Motings 1-0 with a cross and then scored 2-0 himself. Jamal Musiala made it 3-0 just before the break. Positively noticeable: Joshua Kimmich’s clever passes from the depths.
Even after falling behind, Union didn’t change anything about the deep basic orientation, so the guests still didn’t become dangerous. After the change of sides, FC Bayern managed the lead with ease. Union coach Urs Fischer made a triple substitution in the 63rd minute, but this did not change the clear balance of power on the pitch. On the contrary: FC Bayern – in the final phase with Sadio Mané, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané – missed a few chances of a higher victory.
FC Bayern Munich – Union Berlin: The line-ups
FCB: Sommer – Stanisic (78th Cancelo), Pavard, de Ligt, Davies – Kimmich (78th Sane), Goretzka – Coman (65th Mane), T. Müller (87th >Tel), Musiala – Choupo-Moting (65th Gnabry)
Julian Nagelsmann (Bayern Munich coach): “The way we do it is a yardstick for ourselves. We created nine or ten 100% chances against a team that usually doesn’t allow much. We wanted to underline what our claim is.”
Urs Fischer (Coach Union Berlin): “It was clear. There was a difference of two or three classes. You have to admit that. The two goals before the break annoyed me.”
The star of the game: Kingsley Coman (FC Bayern Munich)
With a strong cross, Coman prepared Choupo-Motings to make it 1-0, before he deliberately circled around to make it 2-0 for Union keeper Rönnow. Won each of his tackles, successfully completed each of his dribbles.
The flop of the match: Rani Khedira (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. In the 79th he had to give way for Janik Haberer.
The referee: Marco Fritz
Unlike in previous FC Bayern games, there were no discussions about the referee this time: Marco Fritz had the game well under control.
