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Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga title hopes took another hit on Saturday as they failed to secure a win against struggling Union Berlin. Just a week after their shock home defeat to VfL Bochum, Bayern once again dropped points, conceding a late equalizer in a frustrating 1-1 draw at the stadion an der alten försterei.
Bayern dominates possession but lacks cutting edge
Coming off a successful week in which they secured a place in the Champions League quarterfinals, Bayern also had reason to celebrate off the pitch, as Joshua Kimmich officially extended his contract until 2029 after lengthy negotiations. A victory against Union Berlin would have capped off the week perfectly, but it wasn’t to be. Bayern controlled the match from the start, dictating play with an astonishing 83% possession. However, despite their dominance, they struggled to create clear-cut chances against Union’s well-organized defense. The first half saw Bayern press relentlessly, but their attacks lacked the final pass or finish to break the deadlock.
Sané breaks the deadlock
With time running out and Union Berlin growing in confidence, Bayern finally found a breakthrough in the 75th minute. Leroy Sané capitalized on a cutback from Josip Stanisic, clinically finishing to put Bayern ahead. It looked like a hard-fought but crucial win for the Bundesliga leaders.
Union Berlin strikes back late
However, just when Bayern seemed to have done enough, a moment of goalkeeping uncertainty cost them dearly. In the 84th minute, Union Berlin launched a hopeful cross into the box, which stand-in Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig—deputizing for the injured Manuel Neuer—failed to deal with. His weak clearance fell straight to Benedict Hollerbach, who reacted quickest to slot home the equalizer and send the home crowd into a frenzy. Bayern pushed for a winner in the dying minutes but found no way past Union’s resilient defense.
Bayern’s lead under threat
With this result, Bayern has now failed to win in consecutive Bundesliga matches, allowing their closest rivals to close the gap. If Bayer Leverkusen secures a win against VfB Stuttgart on Sunday, the reigning champions' lead at the top will be reduced to just six points, making the title race even more intense. While Bayern remains in control, their recent form raises concerns. With critical fixtures ahead, Vincent Kompany’s side must quickly rediscover their sharpness to avoid further setbacks in their pursuit of another Bundesliga crown.
