Ferocious Bayern first-half showing obliterates Union Berlin

Putting a seal on the Bundesliga Matchday 22 action was the hotly anticipated meeting of Bayern Munich and Union Berlin. Only separated by Bayern’s superior goal difference in the table, this game could be pivotal in the title race. Union came into this evening’s game flying high on the back of a Europa League victory over Ajax. Ultimately, it would be one-way traffic from the start as Bayern ruthlessly dispatched Union with goals coming from Choupo-Moting, Müller, Musiala in a 3-0 win.

From the off Bayern made it their business to boss possession, fizzing the ball about the snow-laden Allianz Arena surface. Roussillon tested Sommer with a low drive in the 14th minute. Aside from that, Musiala, Choupo-Moting, and Müller all had half chances of their own as the Union goal came under siege. Robin Knoche the impenetrable wall for most of the opening half hour.

A Bayern breakthrough seemed inevitable as the half wore on. A 31st minute header from Choupo-Moting would do just that as he connected with Kingsley Coman’s cross to made it 1-0. It soon became a two-goal lead for Bayern as Coman turned goal scorer on this occasion. Thomas Müller slipped the Frenchman in who rounded Rønnow and tapped home to an empty net. ‘Die Rekordmeister’ weren’t finished for the half – a solitary minute of added time was all Müller needed to tee up the unmarked Musiala.

With the damage already done before the break, it came as little surprise that the second half would start quietly. Thorsby set up Becker as the game approached the hour mark. Unfortunately, the ball narrowly deflected the wrong side of the crossbar. Streich would make a swift treble substitution soon after – Behrens, Leweling, and Seguin replaced Jordan, Becker, and Thorsby. There was also a return to action for Sadio Mané in Nagelsmann’s ranks.

Müller ought to have bagged his second and Bayern’s fourth goal on 71 minutes. An unorthodox save from the head of Rønnow was enough to force a corner. While Streich’s Union battled gallantly, there was little the club from Köpenick could do to reduce the arrears. A comfortable win for Nagelsmann and Bayern, as they develop 3-points worth of breathing space between Union and return to the Bundesliga summit.

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