Die Folgen: Bayern Munich’s 7-0 win over Union Berlin (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich did not just want to ease its way into the break, eh?
The Bavarians put on a show in demolishing Union Berlin 7-0 behind a dominant offensive effort and a staunch defense. That was as motivated a Bayern Munich squad as we have seen in the first part of this season. Let’s get into it, here are some quick hitters on the match:
- As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:
- The biggest surprise from the XI was the absence of Konrad Laimer. In fact, Laimer did not even dress for the match? Bayern Munich revealed that Laimer was dealing with an adductor injury. The Austrian has not looked fully healthy since last season (which sounds weird, but he just hasn’t been fully right in a long time). Hopefully, Laimer can get it all worked out soon enough.
- Otherwise, Bayern Munich’s lineup is exactly what you would expect to see in Kompany’s “Champagne XI.”
- Olise had a good look in the 2nd minute, but his shot was right at the keeper.
- Bayern Munich was fairly dominant in possession, but not especially sharp with connecting in the early going.
- Jamal Musiala, however, would change Bayern Munich’s fortunes. Aleksandar Pavlović blocked an attempted clearance, which Alphonso Davies tracked down and fed to Musiala, who perfectly placed his shot to the far corner for a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute.
- Okay, I don’t love the Oktoberfest kits. They look like some kind war going on in outer space.
- Four minutes later, Tah let loose with a thundering header from close-range, but Frederik Rønnow made a big stop.
- Luis Díaz’s tough luck continued as he had a goal waved off due to an offside.
- Man, in the 32nd minute, Neuer made a long run out to slide tackle a ball away that was being chased down by a Union Berlin player. That surely made some fans gasp, but the old guy (still younger than me!) still has it.
- Union Berlin really had nothing to offer Bayern Munich offensively. The Iron Ones just could not solve the swarming Bavarians defense.
- Tah and Upamecano were on-point and rock solid in the center of the defense.
- Tom Rothe conceded a penalty kick after taking down Olise in the box. Kane stepped up and hit the PK in the 39th minute to make it 2-0, which had to feel like 200-0 to Union Berlin.
- Rani Khedira took Musiala down hard in the 42nd minute, which would turn out to be a very bad move. Sure, Khedira was following the plan most teams use to try and get Musiala off his game, but the ensuing free kicker worked its way around to Olise, who hit a tremendous shot for a 3-0 lead. There was no coming back from that for the Iron Ones.
- Union Berlin had a lot of trouble finding ways to get forward.
- Despite the lopsided scoreline, Union Berlin center-back Leopold Querfeld was turning in a very solid effort (it sounds crazy, but the scenes around him were wild). Querfeld, though, did have a boner on Ismael Saibari’s goal later in the game as he gave the Moroccan way too much rook to work with.
- In the 50th and 51st minutes, Neuer made two sensational saves to keep Union Berlin off the scoreboard. A rested and healthy Neuer looks like a very dangerous Neuer.
- In the 54 minute, Olise lofted in a beautiful diagonal ball, which Kane ran directly into for a fantastic header goal to make it 4-0. What…a…play!
- Bayern Munich was just slicing and dicing Union Berlin in every way.
- Diaz, however, stayed ice cold as he had a good look, but hit a relatively weak shot on the ground, right at Rønnow.
- Saibari got into the act and scored Bayern Munich’s 5th goal on a pretty outstanding individual effort. Everything was working for the Bavarians. Davies picked up his second assist of the day on the play.
- Three minutes later, Tom Bischof sent in a beautiful long ball to a streaking Olise, who went into a 1v1 with the GK. Olise clanged his finish off the post and made it 6-0. Another highlight reel worthy play on a day full of them. Bischof’s pass was perfection.
- Olise and Bischof worked another combination just three minutes later, which Olise finished with another wonderful shot.
- Olise had a hatrick and an assist in yet another dominant effort from the French winger.
- Bischof made a very good impression after coming on as a sub.
- Overall, Bayern Munich did what it needed to do. Heading into the break, Bayern Munich can feel extremely good about where it stands after its demolition of Union Berlin.
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame
Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
Bayern eyeing a different Araújo this time around? (ESPN)
Bayern Munich was rumored to have interest in FC Barcelona loanee Ronald Araújo, who has not been at Liverpool for a long time. Since the Bavarians missed on the defender, the club has decided to lean on an old adage — “If at first you don’t succeed in getting a guy named Araújo, who plays center-back…try, try again!”
Per this report, FC Bayern is now interested in Benfica center-back Tomás Araújo:
Bayern Munich are considering a move for Benfica center back Tomás Araújo, according to Tuttomercatoweb. Araújo, 24, is reported to be available for around €40 million but his arrival is reported to be tied to that of Kim Min-Jae and, according to Bild’s Christian Falk, Bayern are planning fresh talks with the South Korea international over a new contract. The 29-year-old only has two years left on his deal, which runs until 2028, sparking the discussions about his future. The report claims that it comes as something of a surprise, as Bayern were open to an exit over the summer if the right offer arrived.
Recent reports indicate that Bayern Munich would like to keep Kim, but it could all depend on how much of a pay decrease that the big Korean would eventually take. Right now, Kim makes €12 million for his salary with a bonus structure of €3 million. Surely, Bayern Munich will want him to take a pretty big hit to that.
Bayern, Chelsea to duel for Gambian midfielder? (Football Insider)
Bayern Munich could be competing with Chelsea for midfielder Adama Jeng:
Chelsea have joined a number of top European clubs in the race to sign Gambia sensation Adama Jeng, sources have told Football Insider.
The likes of Bayern Munich, Benfica, Sporting CP and Paris FC, along with Chelsea, are all understood to have been monitoring Jeng at the WAFU tournament in Dakar.
Chelsea see Jeng as a potential star in the making and they are ready to make a move for the African sensation to steal a march on their rivals.
Real, Barca plotting to square off for Haaland (ESPN)
If Erling Haaland ever thinks that he needs to leave Manchester City (it seems doubtful, given the load of money he makes), Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will be there to try and scoop him up:
Real Madrid and Barcelona are exploring a move for Manchester City forward Erling Haaland, TEAMtalk reports. It is reported that the two LaLiga sides believe there could be an opportunity to land the 25-year-old next summer, when they feel he could be willing to consider his future in the season before the 2028 European Championships. Los Blancos are long-term admirers of Haaland, who hasn’t indicated a desire to leave the Etihad Stadium.
If Haaland bails on City, would Bayern Munich make a 4th attempt to get him?
Imagine taking the Golden Sombrero on that.
Guirassy talks complex relationship with Kovač (BuLi News)
Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy recently spoke about his dealings with head coach Niko Kovač.
“Sometimes we fight, but in the end I respect him, and he respects me. Of course, he can shout at me, and we can have arguments with each other, but in the end it’s for the good of everyone,” said Guirassy.
Real keeping close eye on Philly’s finest (ESPN)
Speaking of Real Madrid, the Spanish powerhouse is also scoping Philadelphia Union phenom Cavan Sullivan, who just received his first USMNT call-up. Sullivan has a standing agreement to join Manchester City when turns 18, but that is — allegedly — not stopping Real Madrid from sniffing around:
Real Madrid and Barcelona could make a future move for USMNT youngster Cavan Sullivan, 16, according to TEAMtalk. The midfielder has impressed since making his breakthrough in MLS as a 14-year-old and has cemented his place in the senior team at Philadelphia Union this season, with six goals and five assists in 23 league appearances. That form has earned him a place in Mauricio Pochettino’s most-recent USMNT squad. Sullivan has already agreed to join Manchester City when he turns 18, but the report claims Spain’s top two are keeping a close eye on his development and could swoop if he doesn’t make the breakthrough into their first XI quickly.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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