Bayern Munich returned to the summit of the Bundesliga standings as they thrashed fellow title challengers Union Berlin 3-0 at the Allianz Arena on Sunday evening.
Earlier on Saturday, Borussia Dortmund had claimed the top spot after a narrow 1-0 away win over Hoffenheim. However, Julian Nagelsmann’s side put up a clinical display as they went top on goal difference.
Surprise package put to the sword
Union Berlin, the season’s surprise package, came into this game with the same number of points as their opponents. However, the visitors were outplayed as Bayern showed their superiority right from the start.
Thomas Muller had a great chance to put Bayern ahead in the 29th minute following Kingsley Coman’s delightful lobbed pass from the left flank.
The hosts did stamp their authority on the game just two minutes later when Eric Choupo-Moting rose highest to steer home another of Coman’s delightful weighted cross.
Coman doubled his side’s lead in the 40th minute when he latched on to Jamal Musiala’s threaded pass. The French winger darted into the Berlin defense and rounded off Frederik Ronnow to slot home into the empty net.
It was soon 3-0 right at the stroke of halftime when Musiala, playing on his 20th birthday, met Muller’s cross from the right wing to slot home and round off a fantastic first-half performance.
Alphonso Davies should have made it 4-0 right after the restart when he found himself free in the box, but Ronnow kept the Austrian’s effort out to keep the score respectable.
Second half parity
The visitors kept Bayern at bay in the second half but hardly tested Yann Sommer in the opposition goal. Berlin, however, should have had a goal back in the 57th minute, but Sheraldo Becker missed a glorious opportunity just yards away from goal.
Bayern also welcomed back Sadio Mane, who came on as a second-half substitute following a successful surgery just before last year’s World Cup.
The reigning Champions will take a lot of heart from that performance before their second leg of the Champions League encounter against Paris St Germain, which they lead 1-0 thanks to their away win at the Parc De Princes.
Union Berlin will look to bounce back from this defeat as they remain third with the result, three points behind Bayern.
Photo credit: IMAGO / Ulrich Wagner
