After their masterful title statement, the Bayern stars around birthday boy Jamal Musiala moved in front of the fan curve and hopped to the songs of their enthusiastic supporters. Munich’s long-term champions fought back in the most exciting title fight for years and countered Borussia Dortmund’s attack on the Bundesliga throne. In the top game against 1. FC Union Berlin on Sunday, Bayern celebrated a mighty 3-0 (3-0).). “The way is already a yardstick for ourselves,” said Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann on the DAZN streaming service, visibly satisfied: “It’s about living up to our own standards.”
In front of 75,000 spectators in the Allianz Arena on Sunday, his offensive enthusiasm was crowned by goals from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (31st minute), Kingsley Coman (40th) and Musiala (20) in added time in the first half. Also to the delight of Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn. “That was an important moment in the season. Dortmund had been in first place for 24 hours. And it was important that we stayed in first place – for everyone,” said Kahn and warned: “We won’t allow ourselves any more slip-ups can.”
“Today we were no longer leaders before the game started, so something had to happen,” emphasized captain Thomas Müller: “And I think that was a good first step.” But his Bavarians would have to deliver that again every week. “That was a small start for how we want to play football,” emphasized Müller.
Bayern (46 points), who according to Nagelsmann also had a team evening during the week, are still leading the table after matchday 22 ahead of BVB and Union (43) thanks to the significantly better goal difference. “Only FCB will be German champions,” chanted the delighted Bayern supporters in the Munich snowstorm.
The Berliners were only able to stop the Bayern Express halfway in their first defeat in 2023 in the first half hour. After conceding the first goal, however, the amazing Bayern hunter lacked the energy to defend himself. Just three days after the tour de force in the great success in the Europa League against Ajax Amsterdam, that was not surprising.
“If you go to Munich and want to take something with you, you just have to be cheeky. We didn’t manage that in the first half and then you just go under here,” emphasized Union midfield driver Rani Khedira. “Today we didn’t stand a chance, if we’re honest,” said teammate Robin Knoche. “There was a difference of two or three classes,” admitted coach Urs Fischer.
After the break, the good Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow prevented even worse things for the Irons with a few saves, such as against the agile but hapless Müller (73rd) or Alphono Davies (86th). In the Bundesliga, a thrilling title duel between Bayern and BVB is looming at the start of the last third of the season.
A week after his verbal blunder against the referee team after the defeat in Mönchengladbach, Nagelsmann was able to enjoy his team’s game this time. He got what he wanted to see. A demonstration of power by his stars, who needed a certain amount of time to start, but then combined their goals in a way that was worth seeing.
Joshua Kimmich was the boss in midfield with clever passes. Coman, who was still injured and sorely missed at the 2: 3 in Gladbach, was a constant asset. And veteran Müller demonstrated his value not only with two assists. “A certain axis is important, Thomas is part of it,” Nagelsmann said before the start of the DAZN streaming service. After the break, star striker Sadio Mané also made a comeback after more than three months out through injury. He fitted in well.
Union coach Fischer had expected “irritated” Bayern – and was confirmed. His players lacked the physical and mental freshness against rested Munich, who were often faster and prevailed in decisive duels.
The second Bayern goal came from a vigorously won header by defender Matthijs de Ligt. Müller passed the ball on to Coman’s run, which was completed ice-cold in the occasional snowstorm. Before that, Union’s Aissa Laidouni had the only chance to turn the game around. His volley flew over the goal (37th). After the break, Union managed to contain the damage with luck and Rönnow.
Bayern squad Bundesliga schedule Bundesliga table All-time Bundesliga table Champions League round of 16 Union squad
