In this Bayern vs Union Berlin match, I analyse the key tactical moments, individual performances and turning points of the game.
At the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich once again showed why, for many, they are the most consistent team of the season. Not just because of the results, but because of the way they control games, even when they’re not at their creative peak. On the other side, Union Berlin came in with a clear mission: to resist and little more.
From the start, the pattern was obvious. Bayern on the ball, Union sitting deep in a 5-3-2. Even so, interestingly, the opening minutes weren’t an attacking avalanche. Bayern circulated possession, looked for spaces, but without much acceleration.
Still, the chances began to come. Michael Olise was one of the first to shake things up, with dribbles and carries that broke lines. Union held on, but more because of Bayern’s temporary lack of sharpness in the final action than pure defensive merit. Because space was there, especially behind the defensive line, in more direct balls.
The goal came naturally. In the 43rd minute, Leon Goretzka played Olise through, he controlled it well, cut inside and finished with class. A goal that came from what Bayern had been threatening for some time. And even before the break, another blow. At 45+1, after a cross and a mistake from the goalkeeper, Serge Gnabry reacted quickest to the loose ball and made it 2-0. A brilliant performance from Gnabry, who looked dangerous every time he touched the ball. At that point, the game was practically over, because if it was already difficult for Union to create anything at 0-0, being two goals down made it almost impossible.
The second half started with Bayern even more comfortable, and the third goal didn’t take long. In the 49th minute, from a quick transition, Gnabry was involved and Harry Kane finished inside the box, even under pressure. A goal that perfectly reflects the level of the English striker.
From there, the game moved into total control mode. Union tried to push higher at times, but that only opened up even more space for Bayern to exploit. In the 66th minute, another example. A move built through the centre, Olise’s shot was blocked, and the rebound fell to Gnabry, who finished powerfully at the near post. 4-0 and a clear feeling: it could have been more.
That became even more evident until the end. Olise hit the post after a great team move, and Kane missed a huge chance late on, attempting a chip with no direction. In the middle of all this, there’s an almost symbolic detail: Union only forced Bayern’s goalkeeper into a save in the 77th minute… that says a lot.
It was total dominance. Without needing constant flair, but with a superiority that was never in doubt.
Post-match
Another performance that reinforces the idea: this Bayern doesn’t need to be brilliant to be overwhelming. It controls the tempo, knows when to accelerate and has enough individual quality to decide games in just a few moments. Olise and Gnabry were incredible today, but the most impressive thing is the collective.
Union Berlin showed exactly the limitations that were expected. Defensively they tried to hold on, but offensively they were non-existent. And against this Bayern, that’s a sentence.
A natural, logical win, and even a flattering scoreline for what the game was.
