1. FC Union Berlin were defeated 2-5 at home to Bayern Munich, ending an unbeaten run at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei of 21 Bundesliga matches.
Niko Gießelmann and Julian Ryerson hit the net for Urs Fischer’s side but Julian Nagelsmann’s league leaders were too strong over the 90 minutes.
1. FC Union Berlin: Luthe; Jaeckel, Baumgartl, Knoche, Gießelmann, Trimmel (Ryerson 64); Khedira, Prömel (Teuchert 64), Haraguchi (Möhwald 75); Awoniyi (Behrens 64), Becker (Voglsammer 75)
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Davies, Hernandez (Upamecano 68), Süle, Stanisic (Pavard 68); Tolisso (Sabitzer 68), Kimmich; Sane (Musiala 61), Müller, Coman (Gnabry 80); Lewandowski
After three successive away matches, 1. FC Union Berlin returned to the Alte Försterei and welcomed the German champions Bayern Munich to Köpenick. Taiwo Awoniyi returned to his position up front, while Niko Gießelmann came back in at full-back and Andreas Luthe was restored as the number one. Bayern fielded a classically strong XI despite Julian Nagelsmann’s absence from the dugout due to coronavirus. However, even with interim coach Dino Toppmüller on the bench, Bayern had the bit between their teeth. Having lost 0-5 at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Wednesday, the champions were out to do damage. Thomas Müller and Leroy Sane combined on seven minutes but the winger fired wide of the target as the floodgates opened in the opening passage of play. A penalty was awarded by referee Harm Osmers on 15 minutes against Paul Jaeckel – which Robert Lewandowski converted from 12 yards. On 23 minutes, Lewandowski fired home a free-kick from 18 yards out to give Bayern a second goal at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. Union enjoyed a decent spell thereafter without pushing Manuel Neuer in the Bayern goal. Andreas Luthe made an excellent block from Lewandowski on 31 minutes as the Polish striker forced his way clear of the Union defence. Coman crossed for Müller on 33 minutes, a short flick-on gave Sane an empty to net give the champions a 3-0 lead. The home side cut the deficit with an excellent finish from Gießelmann, the left-back making his textbook charge into opposition territory. Straight after the restart, Becker fired past Manuel Neuer but the assistant referee called offside against the Dutchman on the stroke of the half-time break.
Urs Fischer’s side returned from the tunnel and put in a second-half performance to be proud of. Union were strong for the 15 minutes before Coman’s rasping drive put Bayern 4-1 ahead on the hour mark. Becker had caused problems in behind but Manuel Neuer was as alert as you’d expect from the German national team number one. Timo Baumgartl then joined the attack to cause problems for Nagelsmann’s team but again Neuer was there. Despite the dominance from the home team, Frenchman Coman ran clear of the Union defence and finished off with a thumping strike. On 64 minutes, Urs Fischer freshened up his team with three substitutions – Behrens, Ryerson and Teuchert replaced Awoniyi, Trimmel and Grischa Prömel with an important UEFA Europa Conference League game on Thursday. Seconds after Behrens and Ryerson joined the action, the two combined to pull one back. The striker charged down the left-hand side, cutting the ball across and Ryerson finished off with an empty net in front of him. Andreas Voglsammer and Kevin Möhwald were handed the opportunity to try and drag Union closer to the visitors. But Thomas Müller scored a fifth goal of the day to send Bayern home with all three points in the bag. European business is back on the agenda for Union this Thursday as Urs Fischer’s team take on Feyenorod at the Olympic Stadium in the fourth Group E match of the campaign.