Bayern held by battling Union

FC Bayern were held to a 1-1 draw by Union Berlin on Saturday. Sheraldo Becker and Joshua Kimmich traded goals early in the first half. Bayern dominated possession throughout but the hosts were solid in defence, and another goal refused to come. The second Bundesliga draw in a row means Bayern drop down to third in the table.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, Matthijs de Ligt and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Kimmich and Marcel Sabitzer were in midfield, with Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala and Sadio Mané up front. Thomas Müller, Ryan Gravenberch, Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka took over from Kimmich, Musiala, Coman and Davies in the second half.

Level at half-time

The 22,012 full house in Berlin saw an high-paced contest with Bayern dominating possession. Sané saw an effort blocked and a Pavard shot was deflected behind, but the home side took the lead when Becker volleyed into the far corner of the net following a free-kick. Bayern replied almost immediately, Kimmich's powerful drive finding the net with the help of a slight deflection.

With the hosts solid in defence and occasionally relieving the pressure, Bayern found clear-cut openings hard to come by. Munich came closest to a second goal when Musiala shone with a mazy dribble before teeing up Sané, but keeper Frederik Rönnow made a strong save. Sané saw another shot go wide as it remained level at the break.

Tough going

Bayern were keen to push on but ran up in vain against the rock of Union's defence. Pavard miscued a volley before Sané and Mané tested Rönnow. Neuer, who was rarely called into action, made a strong save against Jamie Leweling, with Rönnow denying Davies at the other end.

Munich upped the pressure in the closing stages, Müller seeing an effort blocked before Sabitzer fired wide. Rönnow pulled off another fine save to deny a Mané header, but another goal refused to come before full-time.

The result means Bayern have 11 points from five matches, one short of Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund. The Bavarians will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to face Inter Milan in the Champions League.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen