Bayern Munich returned to the top of the Bundesliga standings when it defeated fellow title contenders Union Berlin 3-0 at the Allianz Arena on Sunday night.
Earlier on Saturday, Borussia Dortmund had claimed top spot after a narrow 1-0 win over Hoffenheim. However, Julian Nagelsmann’s team made a clinical display by overcoming goal difference.
Surprise package put to the sword
Union Berlin, the surprise package of the season, came into this game with the same number of points as their opponents. However, the visitors were outclassed as Bayern showed their superiority from the start.
Thomas Muller had a great chance to put Bayern ahead in the 29th minute after Kingsley Coman’s delightful high pass from the left flank.
The hosts stamped their authority on the game just two minutes later when Eric Choupo-Moting soared higher to bring home another of Coman’s lovely weighted crosses.
Coman doubled his team’s lead in the 40th minute when he latched on to a threaded pass from Jamal Musiala. The French winger launched into the Berlin defense and rounded off Frederik Ronnow to fit into the empty net.
It soon came to 3-0 just on the stroke of half time when Musiala, playing on his 20th birthday, received Muller’s cross from the right wing to conceding at home to cap off a fantastic first half.
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 outside to keep the score respectable.
The visitors held off Bayern in the second half but barely got a taste of Yann Sommer in goal. Berlin, however, should have had a goal on 57 minutes, but Sheraldo Becker squandered a glorious chance just yards from goal.
Bayern also welcomed Sadio Mane, who came on as a second-half substitute following successful surgery just before last year’s World Cup.
The reigning champions will get plenty of encouragement from that performance ahead of their Champions League second leg against Paris St Germain, which they lead 1-0 thanks to their away win at Parc De Princes.
Union Berlin will be looking to bounce back from this defeat as they remain third with the result, three points behind Bayern.
Photo credit: IMAGO / Ulrich Wagner
