Bayern Munich 1-0 Union Berlin: What Were The Main Talking Points As Thomas Tuchel’s Side Keep Alive Their Bundesliga Title Dreams?

With all eyes from across Germany falling on the Allianz, Bayern Munich made a crucial return to winning ways as they secured a 1-0 victory against Union Berlin on Wednesday night.

Opening the midweek fixtures sat seven points adrift of Bayer Leverkusen, Thomas Tuchel has also reportedly found mounting pressure on his shoulders.

While the defending Bundesliga champions might not have been at their most clinical on Wednesday night, it was Portuguese defender Raphael Guerreiro who proved to be Bayern’s hero as the 30-year-old powered home just seconds after the restart.

However, although Munich might have made up some critical ground in the Bundesliga title chase, Union Berlin find themselves in the midst of a domestic nightmare.

Battling it out at the foot of the table and still holding just a three-point buffer from slipping into the relegation play-off spot, the Irons Ones have also failed to muster a single top-flight victory on their travels since the end of August.

On a night when Bayern Munich kept their Bundesliga title hopes alive, we have taken a look at the main talking points from the Allianz.

Tuchel claims the boost that he was demanding

Although Munich might have eventually dragged themselves to a history-making 11th consecutive Bundesliga crown last season, the German giants have a major uphill battle on their hands this time around.

Putting in a nightmare performance at the Allianz last weekend as they suffered an infamous 1-0 defeat at home against Werder Bremen, Tuchel’s side know that stability will be key during the second half of the season.

With Bayer Leverkusen continuing on a record-breaking romp on either side of Germany’s festive break, Bayern can not afford any more public slip-ups going forward.

However, although Wednesday’s 1-0 victory might mean that they still sit four points adrift of their title rivals, the midweek hosts should take plenty of positives away from their own successes this season.

Storming their way to a Champions League knockout stage ticket last month, Bayern have won 10 of their previous 12 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to September 22nd.

Kane will be the key to Munich’s Bundesliga success

While Harry Kane might have failed to find the net since Bayern made their return from Germany’s festive break, the England skipper has enjoyed a record-breaking start to life in the Bundesliga.

Despite having his second half strike narrowly ruled out by VAR on Wednesday night, the former Tottenham icon has only continued to underline his status as one of world football’s elite marksmen.

Completing a famous £100million switch from Spurs last summer, Kane has already notched a stunning 22 Bundesliga goals this season and is cruising towards Germany’s Golden Boot.

Receiving a string of plaudits since arriving at the Allianz and with some already tipping the 30-year-old as a genuine Ballon d’Or contender in 2024, it is no secret that Kane has a leading role to play across all competitions this season.

Although Bayern might face a real uphill battle in their bid to make even more Bundesliga history this year, it is hard to image where Tuchel’s side would be if they hadn’t snapped up the Three Lions’ superstar last summer.

Bayer Leverkusen aren’t showing any signs of a stutter

Putting in a remarkable last-gasp comeback away at RB Leipzig last weekend as they secured a thrilling 3-2 victory, Bayer Leverkusen have rightfully cemented their spot as one of Europe’s ultimo surprise packages this season.

Unbeaten in all of their first 18 Bundesliga appearances and breaking a host of records under Xabi Alonso, Die Werkself still hold a shock four-point buffer at the top of the Bundesliga table.

Breezing their way to a Europa League knockout stage ticket last month and certainly firing on all cylinders, Leverkusen appear to be sat in the driving seat in claim a first domestic crown since 2011.

Gaining a reputation for their free-flowing performances in the final third, the one-time Liverpool midfielder has already shown that his squad aren’t showing any signs of a psychological stutter.

If Bayern are to keep up pace with a record-breaking Leverkusen, then Tuchel’s camp will know that they must find some crucial stability going forward.

Match Report

Bayern Munich: Neuer, Laimer, de Ligt, Upamecano, Guerreiro, Kimmich, Goretzka, Sane, Musiala, Coman, Kane

Subs: Dier, Pavlovic, Tel

Union Berlin: Ronnow, Trimmel, Knoche, Vogt, Leite, Gosens, Haberer, Tousart, Kral, Hollerbach, Volland

Subs: Bedia, Aaronson, Schafer, Behrens, Roussillon

Goals: Guerreiro (46’)

Yellow Cards: Bayern Munich: Sane, Kane – Union Berlin: Leite, Vogt

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Frank Willenborg