MX23RW : Tuesday, May 14 16:07:09| >> :120:9515:9515:
[monks data]
Union Berlin logo
Bundesliga | Gameweek 26
May 17, 2020 at 5pm UK
An der alten Forsterei
Bayern logo

Union Berlin
0 - 2
Bayern


Lenz (12'), Schlotterbeck (51')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Lewandowski (40' pen.), Pavard (80')
Davies (37')

Robert Lewandowski back in the goals as Bayern Munich resume title charge

Robert Lewandowski back in the goals as Bayern Munich resume title charge
© Reuters
Robert Lewandowski's 40th goal of the campaign moved Bayern four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table.

Bayern Munich sharpshooter Robert Lewandowski's 40th goal of the season helped see off Union Berlin as the Bundesliga leaders returned from the coronavirus suspension with a comfortable 2-0 victory.

Borussia Dortmund moved within a point of the perennial champions thanks to their thumping 4-0 win against rivals Schalke on Saturday, but Hansi Flick's men managed to restore their cushion in the capital.

Union were organised but lacked attacking spark in Sunday's clash, with Lewandowski's spot-kick and a Benjamin Pavard header enough to see Bayern triumph at the empty Stadion An der Alten Forsterei.

Reigning champions Bayern Munich returned to action behind closed doors at Union Berlin
Reigning champions Bayern Munich returned to action behind closed doors at Union Berlin (Hannibal Hanschke/POOL)

Flick's men were far from their best on their return from the coronavirus suspension, but they did their job diligently against well-drilled Union as they restored their four-point lead at the top.

Thomas Muller saw a first-half opener ruled out for offside, but the visitors would go into the break ahead after former Dortmund defender Neven Subotic caught Leon Goretzka in the box.

Lewandowski, who was able to recover from a knee issue during the league's suspension, coolly slotted home the resulting penalty five minutes before the interval to make it 40 goals in all competitions – the fifth straight season he has managed to reach that figure.

Union remained under the cosh for the remainder of the match but it took until the 80th minute for Bayern to notch a second, with Pavard rising to meet a Joshua Kimmich corner with a thumping header.

Stewards in the stands during the Bundesliga match between Union Berlin and Bayern Munich
Stewards in the stands during the Bundesliga match between Union Berlin and Bayern Munich (Hannibal Hanschke/POOL)

Again, this was a strange occasion given the hygiene regulations and lack of fans at a match that could have been tighter had the raucous home fans been in attendance.

Union, whose coach Urs Fischer was not in the dugout following the death of his father-in-law, have been among the surprise packages this season and started on the front foot, with Marius Bulter and Anthony Ujah having early efforts.

But Bayern soon settled and took control of proceedings, rippling the back of the net in the 17th minute.

Goretzka rose highest from a corner and headed to the far post, where Serge Gnabry's glancing header was turned home by Muller.

Gnabry's effort was already bound for the bottom corner and Muller's instincts cost his side, with the video assistant referee confirming the Bayern forward had just strayed offside.

Alphonso Davies was proving a handful down the left and Union goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz just prevented his cross reaching the lurking Lewandowski – but the Bayern star would not have to wait long to beat his Polish compatriot.

As half-time approached, Subotic caught Goretzka in the box as he attempted to clear and Lewandowski stepped up to coolly strike past the wrong-footed Gikiewicz.

Pavard sent a thumping strike into the sidenetting as Union stumbled into the half-time break, with the World Cup winner and Goretzka having chances shortly after the restart as Bayern looked to extend their advantage.

Grischa Promel snapped an effort wide on a rare voyage forwards by Union, who were penned back and having to dig deep to keep the visitors at bay.

Substitute Kingsley Coman's cross just failed to find a team-mate and Gnabry was denied as the clock wound down, with Pavard ending any doubts in the 80th minute when powering home Kimmich's corner.

ID:399691: cacheID:399691:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9158:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Hansi Flick in charge of Bayern Munich on November 6, 2019
Read Next:
Hansi Flick expects eyes of the world to be on Bundesliga upon return
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CBayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen33276087236487
2Bayern MunichBayern33233792415172
3Stuttgart33224774393570
4RB Leipzig33197775373864
5Borussia DortmundDortmund33179764432160
6Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt33111394948146
7Hoffenheim33127146264-243
8Freiburg33119134456-1242
9Heidenheim33912124654-839
10Augsburg33109144958-939
11Werder Bremen33109144453-939
12Wolfsburg33107164053-1337
13Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach33713135663-734
14VfL BochumVfL Bochum33712144170-2933
15Mainz 05Mainz33614133650-1432
16Union BerlinUnion Berlin3386193157-2630
17FC Koln33512162756-2927
RSV Darmstadt 98Darmstadt3338223082-5217


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!