Union Berlin 2-5 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• Bayern Munich got the job done, but it would’ve been nice to score a few more and maybe keep a clean sheet. Not a perfect performance, but it takes the sting out of the loss to Gladbach.
• Union Berlin really put the midfield under pressure in the second half, and could nicked a few more goals when Bayern were reeling. These momentary lapses in intensity are something Nagelsmann will need to look into.
• Thomas Muller, what a performance! Three assists and a goal, easy MotM.
• Nice to see Dayot Upamecano get an assist by running the whole length of the pitch after the poor game he had against Gladbach.
• Too bad Lewandowski didn’t get his hat trick.

Full time: Bayern Munich beat Union Berlin 5-2.

79’ — GOAL! Thomas Muller makes it 5-2! Great assist by Upamecano!

64’ — Goal. Dammit! Right after Bayern scores, Union make it 4-2!

60’ — GOAL! Coman hammers it home to make it 4-1!

45’ — The second half is underway!

Halftime observations and analysis

• Bayern Munich seem to have put the Gladbach juju behind them, but the cracks are still there. Union shouldn’t have been allowed to get a goal back, and they were inches from making it 3-2 despite barely creating anything all game. Some fragility still exists in this team.
• Kingsley Coman’s dribbles are so good — if only he could convert them into goals and assists.
• Robert Lewandowski really can do everything! Ballon d’Or please!

Half time: Bayern lead Union 1-3.

42’ — Goal. No clean sheet today! Union make it 1-3!

34’ — GOAL! After so many chances, Sane finally makes it 3-0!

22’ — GOAL! Lewandowski makes it 2-0! Pre-rehearsed free kick routine!

14’ — GOAL! Lewandowski makes it 1-0 from the spot!

Kickoff: We’re underway in Berlin!

One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Looks like Nagelsmann is opting for some shuffling at the back, with Stanisic and Sule coming in for Benjamin Pavard and Dayot Upamecano. Sane and Coman start on the wings as well.

It’s Saturday and Bayern Munich are not in a happy place at the moment. Coming off a massive 5-0 loss to Gladbach in midweek, the team will definitely be feeling some strong emotions coming into this game. Whether those emotions translate to a good or bad performance is up to the players themselves.

Coach Nagelsmann has the unenviable task getting his superstar contingent back on track after a tough loss. The entire A-team start in Monchengladbach, and everyone — even the likes of Thomas Muller, Robert Lewandowski, and Joshua Kimmich — was absolutely awful in a way most Bayern fans have never seen before. Recovering from that isn’t easy, and the team will have to show mental fortitude to come back against Union Berlin and keep top spot in the Bundesliga secure.

It’s Bayern time.

Match Info

Location: Alte Forsterei, Berlin, Germany

Time: 3:30 pm local time, 9:30 am EST

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

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