Bayern comfortably overcome Union Berlin to restore Bundesliga lead

Bayern extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga back to four points after a routine 2-0 victory over Union Berlin.

The match commenced in the Berlin sunshine, Bayern keen to continue their form exhibited before the coronavirus disruptions. Union Berlin’s preparations for the fixture had been further disrupted by manager Urs Fisher’s absence, the Swiss coach leaving their quarantine camp due a family death on Monday.

Robert Lewandowski’s early looping effort outlined his intentions to add to his 25 Bundesliga goals whilst Union Berlin’s top scorer Sebastien Andersson (12 goals) only made the bench.

Union’s intentions were clear from the off as newly-promoted side sent long searching balls towards Bundesliga stalwart Anthony Utah.

A goal-bound effort by Serge Gnabry was needlessly flicked into the net by Thomas Müller on 17 minutes, the VAR room in Cologne ruling the German offside to keep scores level.

Just when Union were settling into the contest however, Bayern were awarded a penalty. When seeking to clear, experienced defender Neven Subotic didn’t see Leon Goretzka and proceeded to make contact with the German midfielder to give the referee an easy decision to point to the spot. 

Lewandowski faced his compatriot Rafal Gikiewicz in the Union goal but after a slow run-up and a skip, the Polish striker cooly rolled the ball into the bottom corner to give Bayern the lead.

The goal sealed Lewandowski’s 40th goal of the season in all competitions, a feat he has now achieved in each of his last five seasons.

Goretzka’s low shot forced a good save from Gikiewicz early in the second half as another Bayern goal seemed inevitable in Berlin. 

Substitute Kingsley Coman had the perfect chance to seal the victory in the 76th minute after a rare Bayern counter led by Serge Gnabry, the Frenchman screaming in frustration after slicing his effort well wide.

The result was wrapped up four minutes later when Joshua Kimmich’s corner found Benjamin Pavard to head home.

Bayern had eased to victory in their first game back without breaking a sweat, Union failed to convert early promise into meaningful chances against the Bundesliga champions.