Patient Reds beat Union Berlin

FC Bayern enjoyed a successful Bundesliga restart on Sunday evening, beating Union Berlin 2-0 to consolidate their lead in the table. Robert Lewandowski scored the opener when he converted a penalty late in the first half, Benjamin Pavard doubling the lead with ten minutes to go.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Pavard, Jérôme Boateng, David Alaba and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Thiago anchored a midfield featuring Thomas Müller, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry, with Lewandowski up front. Kingsley Coman, Ivan Perišić and Michaël Cuisance took over from Goretzka, Gnabry and Müller in the second half.

Lewy opens from the spot

After referee Bastian Dankert whistled play underway, Lewandowski saw an effort deflected over the bar, but the next two chances fell to the plucky hosts, Marius Bülter warming Neuer's gloves before Anthony Ujah fired wide. A Gnabry shot was blocked before Müller tapped in a Gnabry header, but the goal was ruled out for a marginally offside position after VAR intervention. Union keeper Rafal Gikiewicz parried a Davies effort, the ball evading Lewandowski.

Bayern were clearly dominant now and were awarded a penalty after Neven Subotic upended Goretzka in the box, Lewandowski converting from the spot. Pavard hit the side-netting from 20 yards before Dankert blew for half-time.

Pavard puts it to bed

Proceedings were similar after the restart. Müller fired just wide of the far post before Pavard miscued a header. The men from the capital increasingly parked the bus, Bayern setting up camp in Union's half.

A Coman square evaded Gnabry before the latter saw an effort blocked, but a goal was coming and arrived when Pavard headed home a Kimmich corner. Neuer denied sub Felix Kroos before Dankert blew for full-time.

The result takes Bayern onto 58 points from 26 matches, four clear of Dortmund, who beat Schalke on Saturday. The Bavarians will be back in action on Saturday, when they entertain Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen