Bayern Munich ensured they go into the international break on Saturday by clinching a 4-0 win against Union Berlin on matchday 27 of the Bundesliga. Die Roten hardly had to get out of the first gear to clinch this win and maintain a lead of nine points over title rivals Borussia Dortmund.
Vincent Kompany had to make a key change in the attack since Luis Diaz was suspended for this game. Lennart Karl replaced the Colombian in the starting XI. Dayot Upamecano replaced Jonathan Tah in the heart of defense, while Leon Goretzka continued in the center of the park.
Considering their Champions League exploits in the midweek, Bayern had a slow start to the game against Union Berlin. They recycled the possession for a large period of time without creating significant chances in the final third.
The first big chance of the game came in the 31st minute. Joshua Kimmich played a delightful aerial pass to find the run of Josip Stanisic in the final third. The Croatian cleverly squared the ball to find the run of Lennart Karl. The youngster tried to place the ball in the far post, but only managed to shatter the woodwork.
Union Berlin were struggling to keep the ball, which ensured they had to deal with waves of attack. Harry Kane uncharacteristically missed from a close range in the 40th minute. The English forward lost his balance and dragged his shot wide of the target.
Bayern eventually broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute. Goretzka found Michael Olise on the right flank with an aerial pass. The French forward managed to cut inside to get the ball on the left foot and then eventually unleashed a rocket to beat the goalkeeper.
One goal brought two as Union Berlin sank further three minutes later. In the first minute of the added time, Serge Gnabry doubled the scoring with a ferocious strike at the back post. Joshua Kimmich delivered an inviting cross in the box, which was punched into Gnabry’s path by Frederik Ronnow.
Bayern ensured three points were secured with minimal fuss in the second half
The hosts continued from where they left off in the first half. Harry Kane tripled Bayern’s lead with a sumptuous strike from the edge of the box. Konrad Laimer found him near the box. Kane turned and slotted the ball past Ronnow. The three points were effectively sealed after this goal since Union Berlin hardly created chances in the final third.
Bayern were in no mood to see out the game as they kept on pushing for more goals. Serge Gnabry scored the fourth in the 67th minute with a thunder strike. The ball fell kindly at the feet of Gnabry after neat play from Olise in the final third. The German forward took no time to unleash a venomous shot past the goalkeeper.
Die Roten defended well to ensure Jonas Urbig got a clean sheet. The Bavarian club kept possession and created chances regularly in the last 20 minutes, but couldn’t add more to their tally. Vincent Kompany handed a debut to Erblin Osmani in the 87th minute when the game was done and dusted.
Bayern and Vincent Kompany go into the international break in a good place across all competitions. The record Bundesliga champions will hope they don’t lose any player to injury during the injury break.