Huge Result For Union! | 1. FC Union Berlin vs FC Bayern München 1-1 | Highlights | MD 26 – BL 24/25
FC Union Berlin vs FC Bayern München
Bayern Munich’s remarkable undefeated streak against Union Berlin stretched to a Bundesliga record 12th game on Saturday, March 15, 2025, but the match at the Allianz Arena ended in a frustrating draw that left the Bavarian giants ruing their failure to convert dominance into victory, while Union Berlin appeared oddly content to extend their role as perennial underdogs in this lopsided rivalry. From the opening whistle, Union Berlin adopted a defensive posture that bordered on resignation, sitting deep in their own half, clogging the midfield with bodies, and dragging Bayern players into a quagmire of physicality and attrition across the pitch—a strategy that seemed less about winning and more about surviving the onslaught of a team that has tormented them for years. It wasn’t until Bayern finally breached their resolute backline that Union Berlin stirred from their slumber, briefly pushing forward in a fleeting bid for an equalizer, only to retreat once the immediate threat subsided. For Bayern, the result was a bitter pill to swallow, their statistical superiority—80% possession, an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.5 to Union’s 0.7, and a staggering 738 passes to their opponents’ 174—rendered meaningless by a paltry three shots on target, exposing a lack of cutting edge that has occasionally plagued them this season despite their lofty ambitions in the Bundesliga and beyond.
The match unfolded as a microcosm of Union Berlin’s pragmatic approach against Bayern, a team they have never beaten in league play since their promotion to the top flight in 2019. Rather than challenge Bayern’s supremacy, Union Berlin opted for containment, their low block and disciplined shape frustrating the home side’s attempts to penetrate through the middle or exploit the flanks with their usual flair. Bayern’s goal, when it came, was a moment of relief rather than a catalyst for collapse—Union Berlin responded with a short-lived surge, mustering enough pressure to suggest they could snatch a point, but their ambition quickly waned, as if satisfied with avoiding a heavier defeat. This curious lack of intent baffled onlookers, given the opportunity to capitalize on Bayern’s recent inconsistencies, including a midweek Champions League draw that had left Vincent Kompany’s side hungry for a statement win. Instead, Union Berlin’s strategy played into Bayern’s hands in terms of control, if not the scoreboard, allowing the hosts to dictate the tempo and rack up possession stats that flattered their performance without delivering the decisive blow their fans craved. For Union Berlin, maintaining this streak of not losing by a landslide seemed a victory in itself, a peculiar comfort in their perennial inferiority against one of football’s juggernauts.
Amid Bayern’s attacking struggles, one selection decision stood out as a glaring misstep: Serge Gnabry’s inclusion in the starting XI over a fully fit Leroy Sané, a choice that raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike. Gnabry, once a dynamic force in Bayern’s treble-winning 2020 campaign, has seen his star fade in recent seasons, and this match did little to dispel the notion that his best days are behind him. Lacking the blistering speed, delicate touch, inventive spark, and positional awareness that Sané brings to the table, Gnabry floundered on the wing, his contributions limited to predictable runs and wayward passes that stalled Bayern’s rhythm. Sané, by contrast, has consistently proven his ability to unlock defenses with his pace and vision, attributes sorely missed as Bayern labored to break down Union Berlin’s compact setup. Kompany’s persistence with Gnabry—perhaps a nod to squad rotation or a misguided hope of reviving his form—backfired, leaving Bayern’s attack bereft of the dynamism needed to turn possession into goals. The decision underscored a broader debate about Bayern’s squad management this season, with Gnabry’s diminished output (averaging one goal every four starts) paling in comparison to Sané’s resurgence, and it’s a choice that Kompany may rue as Bayern’s title chase intensifies.
On a brighter note, Alphonso Davies provided a highlight reel moment that reaffirmed his status as one of the world’s premier left-backs, clocking a club-record sprint speed of 36.24 km/h to thwart a Union Berlin counterattack—a burst of acceleration that showcased his enduring athleticism at just 24 years old. With speculation swirling about his future amid contract talks and interest from Real Madrid, Davies’ display was a timely reminder of his value to Bayern, blending defensive tenacity with the kind of world-class speed that few can match. His intervention was a rare spark in an otherwise tepid performance from Bayern’s backline, which, while solid, was seldom tested by Union Berlin’s cautious approach. Davies’ record-breaking dash not only neutralized a dangerous move but also injected a jolt of energy into the Allianz Arena crowd, who have come to expect such heroics from their Canadian star. As Bayern navigate a season of transition under Kompany, Davies remains a cornerstone, his blend of youth and experience a vital asset in their pursuit of domestic and European glory.
Union Berlin’s resistance was briefly undone by a Bayern goal, but the equalizer that followed exposed a rare chink in the armor of Jonas Urbig, the young goalkeeper who has been a revelation for the visitors this season. Caught off balance by a looping cross, Urbig misjudged his clearance, failing to muster the necessary power to push the ball to safety—a lapse that saw it land perfectly between Eric Dier and Josip Stanišić, where Benedict Hollerbach pounced with a sprinter’s instinct to level the score. For Urbig, who has earned plaudits for his composure and shot-stopping ability, it was a costly error, the first significant blemish in an otherwise impressive campaign that has seen him keep Union Berlin competitive despite their mid-table struggles. The 21-year-old will undoubtedly learn from this mistake, his athletic frame and quick reflexes suggesting a bright future, but on this occasion, his misfortune handed Bayern a lifeline they scarcely deserved given their profligacy. Hollerbach’s opportunistic finish was Union Berlin’s lone moment of genuine threat, a reward for their brief foray forward after Bayern’s opener, and it ensured they left Munich with a point that felt more like a moral victory given the gulf in resources and ambition between the two sides.
Bayern’s disappointment was palpable at the final whistle, their dominance in every statistical category—80% possession, an xG edge of 1.5 to 0.7, and a pass count more than four times that of Union Berlin’s 174—undermined by a toothless attack that mustered just three shots on target, a figure that belied their control of the game. Kompany cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines, his tactical setup delivering territory and tempo but failing to carve out the clear-cut chances needed to bury a stubbornly defensive opponent. The draw was a fair reflection of Bayern’s inability to translate their superiority into goals, a recurring issue this season that has seen them drop points in matches they should win comfortably—a flaw that could prove costly as Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund lurk in the Bundesliga standings. For Union Berlin, the result extended their odd comfort within this one-sided rivalry, their record against Bayern now reading 12 games without a win but also without the crushing defeats that might have been expected. As Bayern reflect on a missed opportunity, the focus will turn to sharpening their attack—starting with Sané’s return—while Union Berlin savor a point earned through grit, if not ambition, in a season where survival remains their primary goal.
