October 30, (THEWILL) – Bayern Munich overcame Taiwo Awoniyi’s Union Berlin 5-2, with a brace from Robert Lewandowski keeping the reigning Bundesliga winners on top in a historic win.
THEWILL recalls that in Wednesday’s DFB Pokal match, Julian Nagelsmann’s side was humiliated 5-0 by Borussia Monchengladbach, but Lewandowski’s first-half brace calmed any early fears on Saturday.
Bayern Munich took a quick 3-0 lead away from home thanks to Leroy Sane, but Union equalised through Niko Giesselmann and Julian Ryerson after Kingsley Coman had made it four.
With just over 10 minutes remaining, Thomas Muller clinched the victory by scoring Bayern’s 38th goal of the season, setting a new Bundesliga record.
After Paul Jaeckel was found to have handled the ball, Lewandowksi scored from the penalty spot to open the scoring. Following a quick free-kick routine, the Poland attacker added a second goal, which he rifled into the top-right corner.
Soon after, Andreas Luthe denied Sane from close range, but the Bayern winger made amends by tapping in Muller’s cross, before Union’s Giesselmann pulled one back, after Awoniyi’s goal was ruled out for offside.
After the break, Manuel Neuer had to deflect away from Sheraldo Becker twice, and both saves allowed Coman to re-establish the visitors’ advantage with a rocket into the top-right corner.
After 65 minutes, Ryerson converted a Kevin Behren cutback, but Union’s 21-match unbeaten record at home in the Bundesliga would come to an end as Muller finished high into the net.
Awoniyi and his teammates put the midfield under pressure in the second half, and could have nicked a few more goals when Bayern were reeling to make the tie even more difficult. These momentary lapses in intensity are something Nagelsmann will need to address this season.
Bayern Munich is still in first place in the Bundesliga, one point ahead of Borussia Dortmund, and will play Freiburg next weekend. They will now focus on the Champions League, as they welcome Benfica to the stadium on Tuesday. Union, meantime, has dropped to sixth place and will play Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday before returning to Bundesliga action against Koln on Sunday.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
