Bayern Munich: Union Berlin no match for Muller’s class

On Matchday 10 of the Bundesliga, first-place  Bayern Munich was hosted by fifth-place Union Berlin in a seven-goal shoot-out. Bayern was looking for their revenge game after being handed their worst defeat in almost 50 years in their midweek DFB Pokal game, losing 5-0 to Borussia Monchengladbach. On the other hand, Union was flying high in the Bundesliga, not losing a game in their last four- until today. The Bavarians were found victorious with the final score being 5-2.

To start the game, Union Berlin came out playing very similarly to Bayern Munich- a high backline with constant pressure in the midfield, which is not usual for teams that come up against Bayern. But for Union, it was working. They were winning more balls in the middle of the pitch, which then in turn led to a flurry of fast breaks.

The momentum quickly shifted in Bayern’s favor after a penalty was awarded in the 15th minute. A Leroy Sane shot bounced off the arm of Union defender Paul Jaeckel as he was sliding in, in an attempt to block the shot. The designated penalty man Robert Lewandowski stepped up to the spot. With the quick stutter in his run-up, he sent the keeper to the right and fired the ball to the bottom left.

Just eight minutes later, Lewandowski bagged his brace in the 23rd minute, coming from a beautifully thought-out set piece. After a foul right outside the penalty box, Kimmich, Muller, and Lewandowski all stood over the ball. Kimmich quickly touched the ball forward to Muller, who held it in place for Lewandowski to hammer the ball past the goalkeeper.

The game saw a very lackluster Union for the next 10 minutes, which ultimately led to Bayern’s third goal. The drive started with Kingsley Coman sending in a low-driven cross from the right side of the field to meet the foot of Thomas Muller. His slightest touch took the ball away from the keeper to find a wide-open Sane for his 34th-minute goal.

Just when it seemed like Union Berlin had given up hope on the first half, they were able to burry away two goals in rapid succession.

The first of which came from a Genki Haraguchi cross in the 43rd minute, sending it up and over defender Josip Stanisic to find Niko Gießelmann. His shot was initially blocked by Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer, but bounced off the post and found its way in. The second goal came just a minute later but was ruled offside.

Watching the second half, you’d think the game was over. Neither team was playing with much enthusiasm. However, in the 60th minute, a Muller long ball found Coman to run with the pace at the Union goal, firing a rocket into the top right corner.

A Union consolation goal was scored in the 65th minute after a fast break from Kevin Behrens found a wide-open Julian Ryerson to slot it past Neuer with a well-placed finish.

To round off the game and to round off his performance of the season, Thomas Muller grabbed his fourth goal of the season in the 79th minute coming from a Dayot Upamecano assist. Muller ended the game with one goal and a hat-trick of assists.

This 5-2 win for Bayern Munich keeps them on top of the Bundesliga table and was a great recovery game from the 5-0 defeat they faced midweek. Bayern will now be looking to book their spot in the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League with their game against Benfica on Nov. 2nd.