Bayern Munich 1-0 Union Berlin: Raphael Guerreiro goals sees Bayern move to within four points of Bundesliga summit
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ByEurosport
Updated 24/01/2024 at 21:57 GMT
Raphael Guerreiro's goal at the start of the second half was enough for a Bayern Munich to claim all three points against struggling Union Berlin at the Allianz Arena. The win moves the defending champions to within four points of Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga table. Union remain 15th, hovering just outside the relegation zone.
Bayern Munich's Raphael Guerreiro celebrates scoring against Union Berlin. (Photo by MICHAELA STACHE / AFP)
Image credit: Getty Images
Bayern Munich closed the gap on Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga table to four points following a crucial 1-0 home win against Union Berlin.
After a goalless first half, Dayot Upamecano needed to be replaced at half-time following a hamstring injury which gave Eric Dier his Bayern debut.
Bayern remained focused and found the opener within a minute of the restart through Raphael Guerreiro.
Harry Kane thought he had broken the record for the most goals in the first half of a Bundesliga season when he struck a second, but his neat effort was ruled out for offside.
There was a scuffle between Leroy Sane and Union Berlin manager Nenad Bjelica off the pitch which saw the latter sent off for shoving the German in the face.
Union pushed for an equaliser to boost their chances of surviving the drop, but Bayern held on for a vital three points to keep tabs on Leverkusen ahead of their trip to the leaders next month.
Bayern had a couple of half chances in the first half but Union proved to be tricky to break down, keeping the champions at bay.
Matthijs de Ligt had a couple of chances in the air from set-pieces and Sane threatened with a curled effort but they had to wait for the opener.
It finally arrived seconds into the first half when Kane found space in the box and rattled the crossbar with an effort from close range The rebound fell into the path of Guerreiro, who cleverly turned the ball into the net with the outside of his boot.
Minutes later, Kane cut inside on his left and rippled the net with a fine finish beyond the outstretched Frederik Ronnow, but Sane had made his run too early in the build-up and it was chalked off.
In a moment of madness, Union manager Nenad Bjelica shoved Sane who was attempting to retrieve the ball for a throw-in, as a mini fight broke out between the teams.
Bjelica was quickly dismissed with the tension of the match threatening to get the better of Byaenr, the hosts were able to settle matters on the pitch as they held on for the win.
Talking point - Bayern stay in touch with Leverkusen
With the unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen seven points ahead of The Bavarians before kick-off, Bayern could not afford to drop points in their game-in-hand ahead of their trip to the league leaders next month.
A shock defeat at home to Werder Bremen on Sunday means Thomas Tuchel’s side have a tough task ahead if they are to win a 12th consecutive Bundesliga title, but they certainly made it easier for themselves with a win on Wednesday to close the gap, even if they are far from their best at the moment.
Player of the Match - Raphael Guerreiro (Bayern Munich)
Guerreiro switched from midfield to defence following the defeat to Bremen at the weekend, but you wouldn’t have known. He was all over the pitch and was involved in most things going forward from the left-back spot.
He was statistically the most creative player on the pitch and created four chances, while also completing the most passes of anyone (105). A whopping 98% of those passes were successful, while he also did his defensive duties by making the most tackles in the game (2).
A complete midfield performance from Guerreiro, even if he was playing full-back.
Match ratings
BAYERN: Neuer 7, Laimer 7, Upamecano 7, De Ligt 7, Guerreiro 9, Kimmich 8, Goretzka 8, Coman 7, Musiala 7, Sane 8, Kane 7
Subs: Dier 6, Muller 6, Tel 6, Pavlovic N/A
UNION: Ronnow 8, Trimmel 6, Knoche 6, Vogt 6, Leite 6, Gosens 6, Tousart 6, Kral 6, Haberer 6, Volland 6, Hollerbach 5
Subs: Aaronson 6, Bedia 5, Schafer 6, Behrens 6, Roussillon 6
Match highlights
6’ - DE LIGT DENIED! Frederik Ronnow saves De Ligt's header at the near post before keeping Dayot Upamecano out with the follow-up. A double save to deny both defenders!
18’ - DE LIGT HEADS WIDE! The defender gets on the end of another Bayern corner but sends his effort wide at the back post. He's becoming a real threat from set-pieces as Union are let off the hook again.
45’+3 - SANE'S SHOT FLASHES WIDE! Musiala finds Sane on the right and once again the German cuts in on his left, not once but twice, before rifling an effort across Ronnow's goal. That's the closes Bayern have come to an opener.
45’+4 - RONNOW GETS AWAY WITH ONE! Goretzka unleashes a really tricky shot which swerves and bounces just in front of the Union goalkeeper, who palms it into Musiala's path but does just enough to dive in with his feet and get to the ball before the 20-year-old.
46’ - GOAL!! BAYERN MUNICH 1-0 UNION BERLIN (GUERREIRO): Kane finds space in the box and rattles the crossbar with an effort from close range The rebound falls into the path of Guerreiro who turns the ball in with the outside of his boot.
54’ - GOAL!! BAYERN MUNICH 2-0 BAYER LEVERKUSEN (KANE): In a free-flowing Bayern move, Laimer slips the ball to Sane on the right, who pulls a cross back for Kane to bend beyond Ronnow for his record-breaking goal! Or has he? There will be a check for offside…
56’ - NO GOAL! VAR has determined Sane to be offside in the build-up and the goal is ruled out. Kane's wait for the most goals in the first half of a Bundesliga season goes on! It remains 1-0 in Munich.
74’ - IT'S ALL KICKING OFF - Sane clashes with Nenad Bjelica as he tries to get the ball to take a throw-in, and the Union manager shoves Sane in the face! Referee Frank Willenborg has his red card out and has sent Bjelica to the stands. Rightly so.
85’ - HOW HAS THAT NOT GONE IN? Laimer's cross looks destined for Thomas Muller's head but the German misses it and Kane isn't ready as the ball drops to his feet, but Ronnow is quick to come off his line and recover the loose ball.
Key stats
- Eric Dier’s introduction at half-time meant two English players (Dier and Harry Kane) were on the pitch for Bayern Munich at the same time, for the first time.
- Bayern Munich have not lost any of their nine Bundesliga matches against Union Berlin (W6 D3). (Opta)
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