Union Berlin 2-5 Bayern Munich: Lewandowski brace helps Bundesliga leaders ease to victory

Robert Lewandowski scored a double as Bayern Munich defeated Union Berlin 5-2 to keep the reigning champions top of the Bundesliga.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side were thrashed 5-0 by Borussia Monchengladbach in Wednesday’s DFB Pokal clash but Lewandowski’s first-half brace settled any early nerves on Saturday.

Leroy Sane put Bayern three ahead away from home, although Niko Giesselmann hit back for Union – as did Julian Ryerson after Kingsley Coman had made it four.

Thomas Muller sealed the victory with just over 10 minutes remaining, netting Bayern’s 38th goal after just 10 matches of the league season in a new Bundesliga record.

17/17 – Bayern’s Thomas Müller has scored against all 17 current Bundesliga sides other than Bayern. Union Berlin are the 26th team he has scored a BL goal against – among current BL players, only R. Lewandowski has scored against a wider variety of teams (28). Collector. #FCUFCB pic.twitter.com/n6mwEImVNe OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) October 30, 2021

The scoring started from the penalty spot after Paul Jaeckel was adjudged to have handled the ball and Lewandowksi slotted into the bottom-left corner.

The Poland forward soon added a second as he rifled into the top-right corner following a short free-kick routine.

Sane was denied from close range by Andreas Luthe shortly after, but the Bayern winger made amends, tapping in Muller’s cross, before Giesselmann pulled one back for Union, who also saw Taiwo Awoniyi’s strike ruled out for offside.

Manuel Neuer was twice required to parry away from Sheraldo Becker after the interval, and those saves provided a platform for Coman to extend the visitors’ lead again as he blasted into the top-right corner.

Ryerson turned in from Kevin Behren’s cutback after 65 minutes, but Union’s 21-match unbeaten run at home in the Bundesliga would not be prolonged as Muller finished high into the net.

What does it mean? Bayern still on top

Defending champions Bayern managed just six goals across their first four Bundesliga games against Union but made up for lost time as they fired in five in their fifth.

The win leaves Nagelsmann’s side – who are six unbeaten away from home in the league – a point clear of Borussia Dortmund at the summit.

Magical Muller

Muller was one of the more vocal senior figures following the Gladbach loss, and he then did his talking on the pitch here.

The 32-year-old not only scored but also provided three assists from his four chances created. No other Bayern player played more than a single key pass.

Hard Knoches for Robin

Jaeckel may have been at fault for the penalty, but his partner Robin Knoche also struggled against the talismanic Lewandowski.

The centre-back was unsuccessful in all of his four duels as he proved a weak link in Union’s three-man defence.

What’s next?

Bayern invite Benfica to the Allianz Arena on Tuesday in the Champions League before facing Freiburg at home four days later. Union travel to Cologne on Sunday after hosting Feyenoord in Thursday’s Europa Conference League clash.