Bayern Munich 4-0 Union Berlin: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• Bayern Munich got a CLEAN SHEET in what feels like an eternity. Despite missing key defensive players, Nagelsmann fielded Upamecano, Nianzou, and Stansic plus Lucas Hernandez in a back four setup and they kept Union at bay. The defensive performance wasn’t spotless, but it’s the best we’ve seen from this team in a while.
• Thomas Muller doesn’t seem to be getting as many chances to assist his teammates as he used to. He’s been stuck at 16 league assists for the season for ages now. What’s up with that?
• Putting Leroy Sane on the right just doesn’t work.
• Tanguy Nianzou made a good impression today and he should get more minutes going forward. Nagelsmann has to be more trusting of his young players.
• Joshua Kimmich was a little careless in his performance as a midfielder today. Too many loose passes and mistimed tackles. He needs to sharpen up before the UCL quarters roll round.

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Full time: Bayern Munich win 4-0!

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86’ — The subs killed all the momentum. The most interesting thing we’ve seen in 30 minutes was when Neuer came out and made a pass in midfield.

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74’ — Subs: Kimmich, Muller, and Sane off for Roca, Tolisso, and Choupo-Moting.

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61’ — Sub: Sabitzer on for Musiala.

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46’ — GOAL! Lewandowski makes it 4-0! Great pass by Muller to find Musiala who laid it off for the Polish bomber.

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45’ — The second half kicks off! Can Bayern Munich keep the momentum going?

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Halftime: Bayern lead 3-0.

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45’ — Penalty to Bayern! Mistake by Luthe leads to a penalty, and Lewandowski converts. 3-0 to Bayern.

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24’ — GOAL! Tanguy Nianzou wins a free header inside the box! Great goal.

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16’ — GOAL! Cut inside and shoot from Coman, incredible strike!

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Kickoff: We’re underway!

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One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Huge surprise today as Bayern Munich seem to be going with a back-four configuration, with Josip Stanisic replacing Benjamin Pavard in the XI. Sane and Coman start as the wingers, with Gnabry benched. Dayot Upamecano and Tanguy Nianzou are the center-backs, with Lucas Hernandez presumably at left-back. Interesting choice by Nagelsmann.

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Bayern Munich are at home for the final game before an international break kicks in, and this time the opponents are Union Berlin. After their meteoric rise and consistent performances in recent seasons, the East Berlin club have stalled slightly since losing Max Kruse over the winter. For Bayern Munich, this is a good chance to keep some breathing room between them and Borussia Dortmund in the title race.

Both Niklas Sule and Benjamin Pavard are missing for this one, so Julian Nagelsmann will have to turn to the inexperienced Tanguy Nianzou and a shaky Dayot Upamecano to make up numbers in defense. That’s not great for Manuel Neuer’s chances of keeping a clean sheet, and neither is the fact that Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry will be playing as wingbacks. In the end, it’ll be up to the attack to finish their chances (something that has been elusive in recent games) and get the team all three points.

It’s Bayern time.

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While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our preview podcast? Listen to it below or at this link.

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Match Info

Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Time: 6:30 pm local time, 1:30 pm EST

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

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