FC Bayern struggles to win: Union coach Bjelica sees red after violence

Golden goal from Guerreiro

After a slow run, FC Bayern struggled to win against Union Berlin and at least showed a meager result in response to the Bremen shock. By winning 1-0 (0-0) on Wednesday in the catch-up game against the relegation candidates, the Munich team reduced the gap to Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen to four points.

Coach Thomas Tuchel’s team was once again a long way from a football that would give Bayern fans hope of a masterful comeback. Like against Werder, it wasn’t Bayern-like again. With his goal, Raphaël Guerreiro (46th minute) ensured that Tuchel did not find himself in extreme need of explanation. The performance was definitely boring.

Unlike Werder’s 1-0 win three days earlier, the Iron Men didn’t make any progress for a long time. Jerome Roussillon almost scored the equalizer out of nowhere, but was denied by national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. In the guests’ only strong offensive scene, the Berlin bench loudly complained about what they believed was a penalty-worthy foul by Konrad Laimer on striker Kevin Behrens (72′). Coach Nenad Bjelica didn’t calm down after that and was shown red two minutes later after a scuffle with national player Leroy Sané. Sané got away with yellow.

After the criticism of boring football from the boardroom, Tuchel’s ensemble against the Berlin defensive bulwark again failed to inspire the 75,000 spectators in the Allianz Arena. Bayern’s performance was sluggish in the first half and without any offensive aha effects. Things were different after the break, at least for a short time. Just 30 seconds after the restart, Harry Kane hammered the ball onto the post. Guerreiro scored his second Bayern goal as he followed up. Augsburg coach Jess Thorup, who and his team are the record champions’ next opponents on Saturday, was not yet back in his seat.

After Guerreiro’s goal as a hello moment, the Munich team tried to make it 2-0. However, Harry Kane was denied the sole record as the best goalscorer in a Bundesliga first half of the season (55th). Leroy Sané was offside for Kane’s supposed 23rd goal of the season. After that, Munich’s short-term attack power fizzled out again.

Overall, Bayern didn’t know what to do with their increased possession until the final whistle. The best chance for a long time came from a corner in the early stages, when Matthijs de Ligt’s header and Dayot Upamecano’s follow-up shot were denied by the brilliantly parrying Union keeper Frederik Rönnow (6′).

Bitter for the Berliners: After a collision with Upamecano, Kevin Volland had to leave after 26 minutes with dizziness. Upamecano, on the other hand, had to go out injured at the break. He made a solid debut with FC Bayern winter signing Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur). He didn’t have much to do – like Neuer, who at times kept warm with gymnastics exercises far in front of his goal.

Curious side note: New signing Kevin Vogt was on the field for the guests, after he had also been on the pitch for former club TSG Hoffenheim on matchday 13. In Bundesliga history, only five other professionals played for two different teams on one match day.

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