FC Bayern recorded a commanding home victory in the Bundesliga, beating Union Berlin 4-0. The Munich side dominated the game for long stretches and decided the match with a double strike just before the break. The record champions did not let the game get out of hand after the break either.
Vincent Kompany made five changes to his starting XI compared to the Champions League win against Atalanta Bergamo. Jonas Urbig was back in goal, while Dayot Upamecano and Konrad Laimer moved into the back four in defence. Joshua Kimmich started alongside Leon Goretzka in midfield, while Michael Olise and Serge Gnabry started in attack. Harry Kane again led the line in attack.
Munich took control from the start, but struggled for a long time against a compact Berlin defence. Union stood deep, won a lot of tackles and initially hardly allowed any clear chances. The best opportunity was missed by Lennart Karl, who only hit the post from close range after strong preparatory work from Josip Stanisic (29′). Harry Kane also missed a good opportunity shortly afterwards.
Bayern only increased the pressure decisively in the final stages of the first half. In the 43rd minute, Leon Goretzka played a precise long ball to Michael Olise, who kept his composure on the half-right of the penalty area and scored into the far corner to take the lead. Munich added to their tally shortly afterwards: After a cross from Joshua Kimmich, Union keeper Frederik Rönnow was unable to clear the ball decisively and Serge Gnabry took advantage of the situation to make it 2-0 from around ten metres out (45.+1).
Kane and Gnabry make things clear early on
After the break, FC Bayern seamlessly picked up where they had left off before the break. Harry Kane made it 3-0 early on in the 49th minute when he scored precisely into the far corner from a half-left position after being played in by Konrad Laimer.
Munich remained clearly superior after that and pressed for more goals. They were rewarded again in the 67th minute: After Michael Olise’s shot was blocked, Serge Gnabry reacted quickest and scored with a powerful strike from a half-left position to make it 4-0. It was the attacking player’s second goal of the afternoon.
Union Berlin barely made an impact in attack and rarely posed a threat in front of Urbig’s goal. The Bayern keeper was only seriously tested in the closing stages, but saved a shot from Woo-yeong Jeong. At the other end, the Munich side could have increased the score further: Olise hit the post when free in front of Rönnow (79′) and missed another great chance.
Bayern go into the international break in a comfortable position
In the final phase, the record champions continued to clearly control the game and did not concede anything defensively. Munich took some of the tempo out of the game, but remained superior at all times. Harry Kane could have increased the score to 5:0 shortly before the end, but lobbed the ball just past the post after winning the ball (89′).
Vincent Kompany also took advantage of the clear lead to make further changes, bringing on two youngsters in Erblin Osmani and Maycon Cardozo, while Hiroki Ito had already started the game.
The win extends FC Bayern’s lead at the top of the table to twelve points over Borussia Dortmund for the time being, although their closest rivals are not in action until the evening and can close the gap to nine points at home to HSV.
The German national team will play Switzerland on March 27 and Ghana on March 30, after which FC Bayern will play away to SC Freiburg on April 4 and Union Berlin will face FC St. Pauli the following day.