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Munich list of defects against Union (nd-aktuell.de)

Munich footballers Leroy Sané, Benjamin Pavard, Thomas Müller and Sadio Mané (from left to right) had little fun in the game against Union Berlin.

Photo: IMAGO / Jan Huebner

On Sunday morning there was little to see at FC Bayern from the first major frustration of the season. During public training on the club’s premises on Säbener Straße, Sadio Mané relaxed and kicked a few balls with the mascot Berni. Mané’s signatures were just as popular with young fans afterwards as they were before the weekend. And coach Julian Nagelsmann also seemed a bit soothed in the sunshine after his first fundamental criticism, which he had made the day before in Berlin in the stadium at the Alte Försterei and before the start of the Champions League on Wednesday at Inter Milan.

“Today it’s getting on my nerves. We didn’t do so well today,” said Nagelsmann after the 1-1 draw at 1. FC Union, the second in a row. “Overall, the energy was not at the level of the last few weeks,” complained Nagelsmann and presented a rather long list of deficiencies. “Not one hundred percent awake in all situations” were his players. “The tactical discipline was not comparable to the first few weeks”, we “lost our structure offensively over a wing relatively early on”. And Sheraldo Becker’s fifth goal of the season with a volley after Christopher Trimmel’s free-kick cross (12th) “we can defend better at the second post”. Mané had let Becker go. Shortly thereafter, Joshua Kimmich equalized with a deflected low shot (15th).

The finding of the fair result also included referring to Union’s share of Munich’s shortcomings. Because you could see how the Berliners had managed to force their opponents into their style of play. Union involved Bayern in a physical fighting game that the Munich team didn’t like and in which the Berliners literally felt at home. Not so the rather filigree Bavarians. For them, the robust wear and tear meant a break in style. They also had to use some of the Berlin means, including slide tackle and long balls. So Bayern played a game that they don’t like at all and don’t master as well as Union. The Munich team dominated, but the Berliners determined how the game was played. “It was certainly the most difficult opponent so far,” said Bayern captain Manuel Neuer.

When the Munich team had already retired to the dressing room, the fans intoned familiar songs. They sang about the fact that only their team would become champions, as well as their anticipation of the upcoming nights in the European Cup. However, it was not the supporters of Munich that could be heard, but those of 1. FC Union. Her whimsical desire to win the Bundesliga title didn’t even seem excessive after this game. Because the 22,012 spectators had become eyewitnesses to how the former Second Union had driven the former First FC Bayern to perplexity and even hints of despair.

The draw before the premiere in the Europa League on Thursday against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise from Belgium was of course considered a success for the Berliners. “If you get a point against a team like that, it’s a point won, which gives you self-confidence,” said Captain Trimmel. “The team played a great game,” said coach Urs Fischer. Union faced Bayern with enormous commitment and significantly reduced the number of Munich chances to score compared to their previous games. Now they often hadn’t even managed to get dangerous deals, which is why there were increasing signs of resignation. The question of whether a center forward like Robert Lewandowski was missing came up again afterwards. She will probably accompany Bayern through the season – at least after losing points.

Union, on the other hand, can take a lot of positive things with them for the Europa League, above all “this willingness over 90 minutes, this mentality,” as Fischer emphasized. Only the often quick ball losses shortly after winning the ball did not please Union coaches. His team often acted “too nervous, too imprecise” and “too easily gave the balls away”. Developing more calm on the ball will now be Union’s learning goal.

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