Bayern Munich: Three things to watch in away game against Union Berlin

Three things to watch ahead of Bayern Munich’s match against Union Berlin.

Bayern Munich will travel to the German capital to face Union Berlin on Saturday. After wrapping up a successful group stage campaign in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, Bayern’s attention will now shift back to the Bundesliga for the near future. This will be a match that will feature two clubs currently in the top half of the table.

Bayern sits atop the Bundesliga standings while Union Berlin occupies the sixth place. A strong end to the year will see Die Roten finish the Hinrunde at the top of the table. They will need a win on Saturday to keep the momentum going in the Bundesliga. Here are three things to watch in Saturday’s clash between Bayern and Union Berlin.

Max Kruse absence a huge loss for Union Berlin

The top offensive player for Union Berlin this season has been Kruse. In his 10 appearances in the Bundesliga, the veteran player has five goals and six assists. Positive results typically come Union Berlin’s way when Kruse is either scoring or creating goals. Both of their losses in the German top flight this season came when Kruse did not record a goal or an assist.

Against Hertha Berlin on matchday 10, Kruse was held to no goals or assists and Hertha were able to win 3-1. Without their top offensive player in the starting lineup, the hosts could struggle to match Bayern’s high powered attack.

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Kingsley Coman looks to continue his strong run of form

Kingsley Coman has been in terrific form as of late. The French winger registered three assists against RB Leipzig last Saturday and has at least a goal or an assist in every match he’s played in since returning from the November international break.

The French winger failed to register a goal or an assist against Union Berlin last season but it should be a different story this time around based on the current form he is displaying. Coman will be a key player for Bayern in this fixture and his impact could prove to be the difference.

Robert Lewandowski makes his 200th Bundesliga appearance for Bayern

It will be a special day for Robert Lewandowski on Saturday as he is set to make his 200th Bundesliga appearance for Bayern. The Polish striker has had a long and successful career at Bayern and this milestone is one of the many fantastic moments he’s had over the years.

Lewandowski’s 200th appearance is not the only milestone he can reach in this fixture. If he records a brace against Union Berlin then he will have 250 career goals in the German top flight. Whenever Lewandowski is on the pitch there’s always the possibility that he can produce something special and another multi-goal performance would have extra meaning this time around.