Bayern Munich drop points in away game against Union Berlin

Bayern Munich had to settle for a point against Union Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Yet another week, Bayern Munich had to come from behind and settle for one point. Union Berlin showed a lot of resilience to keep the scoreline 1-1 against the defending champions. Grischa Prommel scored for the home side, while Robert Lewandowski was the saviour for the visiting team.

Hansi Flick made numerous changes to the team that featured in the win against Lokomotiv Moscow. Robert Lewandowski, Benjamin Pavard, David Alaba, Kingsley Coman, Jamal Musiala, and Serge Gnabry all returned to the starting lineup, while Alphonso Davies started the second game of the week.

After a heavy defeat against Hertha Berlin last week, Union Berlin made three changes to the lineup and a change in the system too. They moved to back four with Sebastian Griesbeck coming in the midfield for Robert Andrich. Max Kruse and Julian Ryerson were replaced by Sheraldo Becker and Marius Butler in the team.

It was another sluggish start for Die Roten. They have been starting slowly in every league game since the last international break. The visitors were thoroughly punished in Berlin as they conceded the first goal in the fourth minute. Christopher Trimmel found Prommel in the box with a delightful delivery from the corner. Prommel placed his header to perfection, giving Manuel Neuer no chance to save it.

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Serge Gnabry had a great chance to equalize immediately, but he couldn’t sort his feet to test the goalkeeper after a delightful pass by Lewandowski. It was an end to end game for most of the first half as Die Roten patiently tried to build attacking moves, but a simple mistake was turning into a dangerous counter-attack. Bayern were lucky that they were not 2-0 down in the first half as Taiwo Awoniyi had a golden chance on the break in the 19th minute.

Die Roten started the second half brightly, but they were still making it easy for Union Berlin by being predictable in the final third. Moreover, the fast forwards of the home team always created problems for Alaba and Jerome Boateng.

After numerous half-chances, Bayern finally managed to score the equalizer in the 67th minute. Coman held the width and then squared the ball for Lewandowski. The Polish striker calmly poked it past the goalkeeper.

Both teams found it difficult to create chances consistently after Lewandowski’s goal. The home side continued deserved at least a point for taking the game to Bayern. They saw out the final quarter of the game without conceding big chances.

Die Roten remains at the top of the table, but they are now level on points with RB Leipzig. Hansi Flick needs to find a solution for sluggish starts. Considering the league games will come thick and fast, Flick will hope that players can get some sort of momentum to end the year on a high note. A more proactive approach will help the team to dominate opposition and put the game to bed early through fast starts.

"Bayern Munich (4-1-4-1)NeuerPavard-Boateng-Alaba-DaviesGoretzkaGnabry-Muller- Musiala-ComanLewandowskiSubstitutes: Nubel, Sane (↓Musiala (63′)), Costa, Choupo-Moting (↓Gnabry (88′)), Sarr, Hernandez, Roca, Tolisso (↓Goretzka (76′)), RichardsUnion Berlin (4-2-3-1)LutheTrimmel-Freidrich-Knoche-LenzPromel-GriesbeckBecker-Ingvartsen-BulterAwoniyiSubstitutes: Karius, Giesselmann, Ryerson (↓Griesbeck (71′)), Gentner (↓Awoniyi (90 +1′)), Gogia, Maciejewski, Endo (↓Bulter (71′)), Teuchert (↓Ingvartsen (36′))"